The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the State for their support in strengthening the State’s security architecture.
The governor gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by the new General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, at the Government House, in Benin City.
He said, “We are enjoying peace, security and safety in Edo State today largely because of the backing of the military and other federal security agencies. The security situation in Edo State relative to States around our zone, has tremendously improved. You will agree with us that Edo is relatively peaceful and one of the safest States in Nigeria.
“We didn’t achieve this on our own but we have support from security agencies and one of these support structures is the Army. The level of collaboration, intervention and support from the military authority is largely responsible for the peace and safety we experienced in Edo State.
He further stated, “Few years ago, we had lots of kidnapping incidents internally within the state as you couldn’t travel from Benin-Auchi, for instance, without fear of being kidnapped. But today, working with the Military and setting up the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ehor, we no longer hear of such incidents.”
The governor added, “Also, in the Western flank of the State, like Sobe and the Odighi areas, you know perennially the crisis of militancy and terrorist attacks. These criminals come in, ransacking villages and farms. But working with the military, we were able to dismantle their plans. We have a temporary FOB already in these areas and we will be building permanent ones there.
“We have recorded tremendous successes as companies are now relocating to this axis. What is left is the Northern border with Kogi State around the Akoko-Edo axis as we are putting our heads together with the General Officer Commanding the Division to see how to take charge of the security situation in that part of the State.”
Speaking on the readiness of the State Government to ensure a peaceful and secure 2024 governorship election in the State, Obaseki said, “following the security architecture our government has put in place and the resilience we have built into the system, what we have today in our security architecture will put us through as security in the State is intact.”
On his part, Major General Obinna Onubogu said, “I have just taken over about a month ago as the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army. This visit is to familiarize myself and inform the governor officially that I have taken over 2 Division. Edo State happens to be one of the States which is within the area of responsibility of 2 Division.”
He praised the governor’s support for the Army, noting, “The Edo State Government has been very supportive as the Nigerian Army has benefited from the government. The government has supported us through 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army; Military Hospital Benin and several establishments in Edo State.”
“The government has also supported the Army in Communication with our operations and we are grateful for supporting some of our bases. This has improved security and curbed some of the excesses of criminal elements within the state,” he added.
He assured that, “The Army will continue to provide support to the government and sister security agencies in the state whenever we are called upon. The Army bases we have set up within the State are there and active and are ready to spring into action when needed to ensure the wish of the people comes to pass.”