Kogi state is currently battling with one security problem or the other. Crime statistics reported that Kogi State has witnessed different forms of crime range from offence against persons (294), offence against property (480), offence against lawful authority (17) and offence against the local acts (7) with 0.63 percent of the share of crime in the country (NBS, 2019).
Apart from the deadly activities of Boko Haram terrorists traced to the state, a lot of fighting and killings are ongoing between communities and the herdsmen. The state is dominated by activities like kidnapping, armed robbery, house breaking, suicide bombing and other social vices. All efforts by government and security agencies to control these unlawful practices seem not to have yielded any reasonable result.
To combat kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the region, Senator Sunday Karimi who is currently serving as a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 10th Assembly has donated a fully completed and equipped military Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Nigerian Army in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State.
The military forward operating base (FOB) was inaugurated amid widespread jubilation. It is a secured operational military position that is used to conduct further operations and act as a strategic centre, used to support tactical operations.
The project is a significant contribution to the ongoing fight against insecurity, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security agenda.
Senator Karimi expressed confidence that the base would serve as a critical asset in addressing security challenges not only in Kogi State but also in neighboring states like Kwara, Ondo, Niger, and Ekiti.
Egbe, being a border town to these states, has been a vulnerable point for criminal activities. 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.
In his remarks during the handover ceremony, Senator Karimi 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.
"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."he noted
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.
Inaugurating the 94-bed military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi, the Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Obinna Onubogu lauded Senator Karimi for his foresight and contribution to national security.
General Lagbaja 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.
“Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to you for your tenacity and commitment in spearheading the construction and completion of this strategic facility.
“As Chief of Army staff, I make bold to say that through this kind of partnership and shared vision, Nigeria Army is reassured that members of the Civil populace appreciate our efforts in curbing insecurity across the Nation.
“I’m confident that this facility will no doubt enhance military operations and overall security operations in Egbe and along the border between Kwara and Kogi State,” General Lagbaja said.
He expressed his gratitude to Gov. Ahmed Ododo for supporting the project alongside the support his administration was giving to the Nigerian Army
The COAS, therefore assured the entire people of Kogi that the facility would be used for the purpose for which it was constructed.
He also appealed to the governnor to see how the landscaping of the facility could be improved to reduce erosion effect within its premises.
He urged the officers and men of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army to commit themselves to the call to duty, honour and sacrifice.
In his remarks, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo ably represented 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.
Governor Ododo who was represented at the event by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd) noted that Senator Karimi has done an extraordinary job in facilitating the construction and equipping of this Forward Operating Base.
He added that the facility will complement the ongoing efforts of the state government to ensure that Kogi remains safe for all its residents.
Traditional rulers from across the region, led by the Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi 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
Dignitaries at the handover ceremony were senior officers from the Nigerian Army, traditional rulers from across the region, led by the Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, prominent figures like 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.
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.
Senator Sunday Karimi is currently serving as a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 10th Assembly. He is a two-term House of Representatives parliamentarian between (2011-2015) & (2015-2019) representing Yagba East & West/Mopa Amuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State.