In an effort to address the growing insecurity in Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents the district in the Senate, has led the construction of a military base in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. The base, located near the Kogi-Kwara border, aims to improve security across both states by enabling quick responses to threats such as terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
Speaking at the base’s inauguration on Saturday, Senator Karimi explained that the project, initiated in January 2024, was designed to support the military and other security agencies in tackling criminal activities in the region. He noted the increasing insecurity in the vast forests near the border, which have become a refuge for criminals. The base, he said, would help deter these criminal elements and restore peace to the affected communities.
“I embarked on this project to provide the military with the necessary infrastructure to combat terrorists and criminals, whose activities in the Kogi-Kwara border region have become a national concern. This military base will serve as a strong deterrent and help restore security to the area,” Karimi stated.
The newly built base, which was fully financed by the senator, includes two hostels with 85 beds, an armory, and furnished office spaces for the base commander. Karimi emphasized that his commitment to assisting the military stems from a desire to ensure the safety of citizens in rural communities.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Commander Jerry Omadara (retd), praised Senator Karimi’s initiative, noting that the base would help the Nigerian Army establish better control over the region’s security. He highlighted the importance of the Forward Operating Base in providing safety for communities in Kogi and beyond.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Obinna Onubogu, also expressed his gratitude to the senator for his dedication to completing the project. He emphasized that partnerships like this reinforce the Nigerian Army’s efforts to tackle insecurity nationwide.
“Kogi State’s central location makes it vital in our efforts to address insecurity. Bases like this allow us to project our operations into neighboring states, ensuring broader security coverage,” Lagbaja said, adding that Kogi’s proximity to 10 other states underscores the importance of such initiatives in maintaining national security.
The military base is expected to significantly enhance the Army’s capacity to secure Kogi State and the surrounding regions, providing a critical tool in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.