By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Odoodo, says his administration is in talks with the Army for the establishment of a military base in Olamaboro, the boundary local government between Kogi and Enugu state.
Alhaji Ododo while dropping the hint, said other military bases are being considered for other flashpoints across the state as part of the broader strategies to forestall the spate of insecurity in the state.
Towards this end, Governor Ododo desclosed that has held talks with the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Waidi Shaibu who he said has promised to give Kogi State a military base to enhance stronger military presence to protect lives and properties of the people of the state.
Governor Ododo desclosed this when he visited some security flashpoints during his working visit to Olamaboro Local Government Area, recently.
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The Governor during the visit, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing every part of the state through enhance collaboration with security agencies, intelligence, and local security structure.
“Concerning the security challenges in the state, I was with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Waidi Shaibu last time and we had a discussion which he promised to give us a base not only in Olamaboro. There are some other strategic locations we have discussed. We will do the follow up. From here, I am still going to meet with him so that we can put things together. It is not by mistake that God has used Mr. President to give us Chief of Army Staff at this present time” the Governor stated.
While he stressed the importance of unity among the people of the state irrespective of ethnic group, religion and political affiliation, Governor Ododo warned that his administration would not hesitate to take decisive action against any one or group that is a threat to the peace of the state.
“We need your partnership, we need your unity, we need your courage. Unity is our strongest weapon, peace is our shared responsibility, and development can only thrive where security is quarantined.
“Olamaboro is a land of peace and promises but we can not realise that promise if we continue to harbor criminal elements, we must expose them and through the instrumentality of law, we will deal decisively with them so that we may have peace in our state”. He pointed out.
Governor Ododo stated that he was in the area to interface with the traditional rulers, youths, women groups, security stakeholders and other stakeholders on the issue of security which he noted affects the people most especially.
He used the opportunity to applaud people of the area for their support and peaceful conduct which he said were vital tools to achieving the set goals.
The governor reminded them that government alone cannot secure communities without the cooperation, vigilance and unity of the people and as such, it was vital for the traditional institutions to continue to provide moral authority and early warnings.
In the same manner, he urged youths not to allow themselves be used by enemies of peace, while charging community leaders to always report suspicious movement ; just as he emphasised that parents must guide their children same way security agencies must continue to discharge their constitutional duties with professionalism.
The Governor further desclosed that his administration has invested massively in the security sector with the support of Mr. President, who he said has made more resources available to sub-national governments and as such, ” we will confront criminality decisively” he also added.
Earlier in his address, the Olamaboro Local Government Chairman, Hon. Williams Ameh, had desclosed that over 120 security personnel comprising of the Rapid Response Units, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Monitoring teams, and the Nigeria Army personnel have been deployed to the flashpoints as part of the efforts to strengthen and secure the area.
Hon. Ameh commended Governor Odoodo for his vissionary leadership and commitment to the fight against the growing insecurity across the country ; just as he assured the governor of the needed support and cooperation to ensure that Kogi State is secure.
In their separate speaches, stakeholders from the area which includes; the state Commissioner of Youth Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo, Senator Attai Aidoko, former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Gabriel Olufu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comr. Onuh Edoka and the state Security Consultant on Kogi East, Chief Joseph Erico, had commended the pragmatic efforts of the state government in the security sector.
However, like Oliver Twist, they appealed for more attention most especially in the area of road projects in the area.
