…Explores Areas Of More Strategic Partnerships, Receives Accolades On Improved Security Infrastructures In Edo.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and the Nigerian Army for their collaboration and unwavering dedication to security in the state, while reaffirming his administration’s continuous commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the state, and making Edo one of the safest zones to live in, conduct businesses and leverage investment opportunities.
Obaseki gave the commendation during the commissioning and handover ceremony of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ehor, built by Edo State Government for the Nigerian Army.
Obaseki, in his remarks at the handover ceremony, noted that it is the duty of government to ensure security in the state.
According to the Governor, “I am indeed very delighted this afternoon to join you here on this occasion of commissioning and handing over this Forward Operating Base which is situated in Ehor, Uhunwonde Local Government area, to the Nigerian army. As you all know, the main responsibility of any government is securing the lives and properties of the people that are being governed. So, any government that cannot guarantee safety for its citizens, clearly has no business being in government.
“That is why for us as a government, we have prioritized security as our first objective, and have done everything possible in the last eight years to make sure that we put in all that is required to make our people safe.
“This FOB, as you have been told, came up as a result of the very terrible security situation on this axis. As many of you can remember, about two or three years ago, you could barely ply this strategic route, the Benin-Auchi road, without your heart in your mouth, scared that something could happen. At some point, we were recording as many as two kidnapping incidents every day.
Obaseki continued: “It was at that point we raised alarm and approached our GOC at that time. I spoke with the Chief of Army Staff, General Yahaya, who heeded our call and gave approval for the state government to support the Nigerian Army by building a Forward Operating Base in Ehor, where men of the Nigerian Army can be located to help provide a backup to the security system of Edo State.”
Obaseki, while commending the Nigerian Army for their immense contribution in uplifting and improving the security conditions of the state, also appreciated the Enogie and members of the Ehor community for their continuous cooperation in helping the state achieve the security feat.
The Governor further appealed to the Nigerian Army, for more areas of partnership, especially for an approval to establish a Forward Operating Base in the Edo North axis of the state, to address the issues of banditry and insecurity in the area.
Obaseki said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Army Staff and the GOC, Secondly, for your understanding and your support. You have always been there for us, through the Brigade, to heed our call and to provide backup.
“I want to put it on record that the Nigerian army has been very magnanimous to Edo State. The moment we experimented with this Forward Operating Base in Ehor, we went back to the GOC and the Army Chief to request support to build another base, another Forward Operating Base in Sobe, between Ondo and Edo State, where we were being ravaged by kidnappers and bandits, and the Chief again was quite generous and magnanimous to give us approval. A similar Base to this is currently being constructed in Sobe as we speak.
“You will all agree with me that these two initiatives have drastically reduced the incidence of kidnapping and banditry in Edo State, particularly the southern part and central parts of Edo State.
“We are using the opportunity of this commissioning and handover to plead just like Oliver Twist, for one more base in Edo North, between Ondo State again and Edo State, the Akoko-Edo area. That base is going to be quite strategic because we still have pockets of banditry and kidnappings going on a lot in that axis”.
Obaseki added: “I want to now say that it is with a great deal of gratitude to the Nigerian Army, that we the people of Edo State now have the privilege to formally commission and hand over this Forward Operating Base to you, the GOC, who is representing the Chief of Army staff, on this occasion. Once again, we say thank you”.
In his address, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who was ably represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2nd Division, Major Gen. Obina Godwin Onubogu, lauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unparalleled contribution and unwavering commitment to improving the security network of the state, with renewed, remodeled and sophisticated infrastructure, ensuring Edo citizens and residents live in peace and prosperity.
According to him, “It is with a great sense of humility that I want to, first of all, thank the Executive Governor of Edo State, and the entire people of Edo State, for this excellent project that I am witnessing today. Just a bit about the FOB sir; it was established on the 3rd of January 2022, and it started as a very small place, without any structure, so to speak. So, to come here today to see what you have put on ground, is a marvel and one that the Nigerian Army deeply appreciates.
“This FOB was established in response to a quite heightened insecurity that was occurring between the southern and northern senatorial districts of Edo State, and the FOB was established to stop two particular issues that were occurring along the Benin-Auchi road, which is kidnapping and armed robbery”.
He continued: “We know that 4-Brigade is in Benin, and the land stretch of road around here makes it very difficult to react as fast as they can. And so, that was the need why we needed to put an FOB here. These FOBs are part of the tools that are being used to ensure that the Nigerian Army remains highly motivated and also to achieve our constitutional responsibilities. This particular FOB serves to support other security agencies and support the state structures you have for security within the state.
“This structure has impacted, drastically reduced the incidences that usually occur here. And that is the focus. We always want to see in the Nigerian Army that when things are done and implemented, there is an impact on the community for which it was intended”.
He added: “Your Excellency, this is just going to be a short one to thank you and to assure you of our continuous support for security within Edo State. It is important for us, it is important for Nigeria, that people continue to feel safe, so that normal activities can continue. There are several agricultural livelihoods that take place across this area and we are glad that people can go back to their farms with a sense of safety as well as transverse the roads without any fear.
“It is our prayer that Edo State continues to remain safe and peaceful, and with your guidance, Edo State will surely thrive and be better than it was. Thank you very much, Your Excellency”.
