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 handing-over ceremony on Saturday, Senator Karimi explained that the idea for the military base came to him in January 2024, motivated by the need for a rapid response to the rising threat of crime in the expansive forests along the Kogi-Kwara border. He stated, “The presence of a standard military base will serve as a deterrent to these criminals and restore peace and security in the communities in Kogi and Kwara States.”
The base features various amenities, including:
- Two fully furnished hostels with a total of 85 beds for soldiers
- An armoury building
- A fully furnished three-bedroom apartment and office spaces for the base commander
- An officer’s mess
- A watchtower equipped with CCTV cameras
- Perimeter fencing covering 10,000 square meters with two iron gates
- Solar-powered generating systems (25KVA inverters and a 22KVA generator)
- Motorized boreholes with overhead tanks
- Two Hilux vehicles
Senator Karimi also pledged to connect the base to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) power grid.
Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Commander Jerry Omadara (retd), commended the senator’s initiative.
He highlighted that the base would help the Army maintain security in the region, stating, “The establishment of this Forward Operating Base will provide the needed safety for our people and allow the Nigerian Army to take firm control of security in this area, including Yagba East and beyond.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Obinna Onubogu, praised Senator Karimi for his commitment to this project.
He noted, “It is through this kind of partnership and shared vision that the Nigerian Army is reassured that members of the civil populace appreciate our efforts in combating insecurity across the nation.”
Lagbaja emphasized the strategic importance of the base, explaining that it would help secure not only Kogi State but also provide coverage for ten neighbouring states, underscoring Kogi’s central location in Nigeria and its vulnerability to security challenges arising from surrounding states.
