Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has officially handed over a newly constructed military base to the Nigerian Army in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.
This initiative aims to bolster security in Kogi and Kwara States as the military combats terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in the region.
During the ceremony on Saturday, Senator Karimi explained that he conceived the idea for the military base in January 2024, motivated by the need for a rapid response to the rising threat of crime along the Kogi-Kwara border.
He emphasized that the presence of a standard military base would serve as a deterrent to criminals and help restore peace in the communities.
The base is equipped with essential facilities, including hostels for soldiers, an armoury, living quarters for the base commander, and security features such as a watchtower and CCTV cameras. Senator Karimi also pledged to connect the base to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) power grid.
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Governor Usman Ododo, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Commander Jerry Omadara (retd), commended the senator’s initiative, stating that the base would help maintain security in the region.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Obinna Onubogu, praised Senator Karimi for his commitment, noting that such partnerships are crucial for the Nigerian Army’s efforts to combat insecurity.
Lagbaja highlighted the strategic importance of the base, explaining that it would help secure not only Kogi State but also provide coverage for ten neighboring states, given Kogi’s central location in Nigeria.