By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

Senator Sunday Karimi over the weekend handed over a fully completed and equipped military Forward Operating Base (FOB) comprising 90-bed spaces in two different blocks to the Nigerian Army in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State.

The Senator who represents Kogi West at the National Assembly noted that the project was a significant contribution to the ongoing fight against insecurity, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s security agenda.

The Forward Operating Base, designed to combat criminal activities in the region, was inaugurated amid widespread jubilation, with Senator Karimi expressing confidence that the base would serve as a critical asset in addressing security challenges, not only in Kogi State but also in neighbouring states of Kwara, Niger, and Ekiti.

He said that Egbe, being a border town to those states, has been a vulnerable point for criminal activities, maintaining that the establishment of the Forward Operating Base is expected to enhance rapid military response to threats and ensure a higher level of safety for the region’s residents.

Senator Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, emphasized that the project aligns with his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents and supporting national efforts to eliminate insecurity. He noted that the strategic location of Egbe, at the crossroads of several states, made it a priority area for bolstering security infrastructure.

In his speech during the handover ceremony, Senator Karimi remarked, “This Forward Operating Base is not just a project for Kogi West; it is a security asset for Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Ekiti States. We are at a critical location where criminal elements exploit the porosity of our borders, and this facility is designed to close those gaps, ensuring that our people can live and move freely without fear.”

The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a 98-capacity hostel for soldiers, a cookhouse, officers’ mess, guard room, commander’s quarters, and a surveillance building. Additionally, the Forward Operating Base runs on a 24-hour solar energy power supply, ensuring uninterrupted electricity, and is equipped with Starlink internet for real-time communication and Internet access. A motorized borehole guarantees a steady supply of clean water, while operational vehicles, including two brand-new 2023 Toyota Hilux, were donated by Senator Karimi to support the mobility and efficiency of the soldiers stationed at the base.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General O.G. Onubogu lauded Senator Karimi for his foresight and contribution to national security. He acknowledged that the Forward Operating Base would enhance the army’s ability to respond swiftly to security threats in the region, particularly in border areas prone to criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping, and banditry.

The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo (FCA), was represented at the event by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd). In his address, Governor Ododo commended Senator Karimi for his proactive contribution to the state, in the fight against insecurity concerns, noting that the base would significantly boost the government’s efforts in combating insecurity and other criminal acts.

Ododo noted that Senator Karimi has done an extraordinary job in facilitating the construction and equipping of this Forward Operating Base, added that the facility will complement the ongoing efforts of the state government to ensure that Kogi remains safe for all its residents.

The handover ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries from both the military and civilian sectors. Among the prominent figures were Hon. Leke Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu, and various state commissioners including; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Idris Asiru and Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Joseph Oluwasegun.

Traditional rulers from across the region and beyond honoured the event including the Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi and Her Regal Majesty, wife of the Ooni of Ife, Ambassador Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, who represented her husband, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. They praised Senator Karimi for the initiative and underscored the importance of the security base to the local communities. The Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayodele Irukera, who chairs the Yagba West Traditional Council, remarked that the base would serve as a strong deterrent to criminals and bring peace of mind to the people of Yagba West and beyond.

The Forward Operating Base is expected to provide enhanced security coverage across the four states, reducing crime rates, and ensuring that the people can engage in their daily activities without fear.Senator Karimi’s intervention, according to the traditional leaders, is a long-awaited relief for communities that have faced security challenges in recent years.

As the Forward Operating Base begins its operations, the people of Kogi West and surrounding states can expect a safer environment, thanks to the efforts of Senator Sunday Karimi and his commitment to the fight against insecurity.