Insecurity: Kogi senator gifts equipped Forward Operating Base to NA for battle against hoodlums

The Lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial District ,Senator Sunday Karimi has donated Forward Operating Base, (FOB) built in Egbe in Yagba West local government to Nigerian army to assist in the battle against crimes and criminalities in the area. The chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja commissioned the 94- bed FOB for the […]

The Lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial District ,Senator Sunday Karimi has donated Forward Operating Base, (FOB) built in Egbe in Yagba West local government to Nigerian army to assist in the battle against crimes and criminalities in the area.

The chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja commissioned the 94- bed FOB for the military in Egbe at the weekend.

The Army Boss who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General OG Onubogu stated that the donated FOB attest to the vision, dedication and collaborative efforts of the Kogi West Senator in the battle against criminalities in the community .

“The construction of this new FOB is very timely, and in line with the operational and logistical challenges we faced in the recent rescue of kidnapped Students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, (CUSTECH) from the forest near Egbe town.

“This Forward Operation Base will support our efforts in stopping and deterring bandits, criminals, gunrunners and other criminal elements who operates around the forest and rivers joining Kogi and Kwara State”, he said .

He stressed further that the NA needs the Operating Base at this period of insecurity challenge in the nation to help in projecting operations and keep criminals on their toes , in the State and the neighbouring States.

However, the chief of army staff implored the operating officers to utilize the facility to it full potential, advising them to train tirelessly and remain vigilant in the face of emerging security threat in the areas .

In his remarks, Senator Karimi said that the project was personally funded to enhance the security of lives and properties in the community,including those communities from Ekiti, Kwara and Osun States that share border with Kogi State.

While the lawmaker described the security of lives and properties of the citizens as a Constitutional matter that should not be toyed with by any government, he stressed that it can better be achieved with the collective efforts of the citizens.

“People will be kidnapped in parts of Kogi, Okene, Kabba, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara States and they will be taken to the forest around here where ransom is paid before their release.

“Having noticed this development, it occurred to me that we have to join hands with Government in reinforcing the Security in this area.

“The army has a platoon of about 20 men here. We decided to provide a nice operational base for the military so that it can help to reinforce security in the community, including those communities sharing border with Kogi, from Kwara, Ekiti and Osun States.

He said the FOB is located in a secured environment at Egbe for Coordination and strategic deployment , besides being equipped with hostels, kitchen, necessary communication gadgets, and operational Vehicles, among many other facilities.

Highlights of the event was the donation of two Hilux vehicles by Sen. Sunday Karimi to assist the operation of the FoB, as well as the inauguration of the facility by the Chief of Army Staff.