Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Monday, stormed Bagana , Omala Local Government Area of the State to inspect the Forward Operating Base as the Joint Military Taskforce intensifies efforts to stamp out Criminality from the area.
Bagana was a hotbed for insecurity and all forms of insecurity for some time.
Recently, the Governor visited the place for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. He assured the people that he would facilitate a Forward Operating Base to give the criminals a run for their money and whip out insecurity from the area.
A few months later, he fulfilled his promise as a Forward Operating Base was established with a Joint Security Taskforce of the Military and other security agencies began operations at the place.
Governor Ododo’s visit to Omala Local Government Area was to officially commission the Forward Operating Base, boost the morale of the security operatives and engage with stakeholders on the need to cooperate with the security agents to return peace to Kogi East.
Addressing the people of the Local Government Area, the Governor said he was in Omala to have first hand information about how the security agents are faring, saying he was ready to ensure there is security across the state.
His words: “I was not elected to just stay in the comfort of my office to receive reports. I have decided to be on the field today to have first hand information on how our action has helped in addressing insecurity here. I am also here to boost the morale of our Joint Security Taskforce at the FoB and interact with them to see how we are faring. Let me assure our good people of Omala Local Government Area that they have nothing to fear. The security operatives are here to protect them and their properties.
“I also urge the people to cooperate with the security operatives by giving them credible intelligence. Do not mislead them, just give them the intelligence that will improve your security.
“It is also important that I use this occasion to call on the citizens of the State to avoid extra-judicial killings. Under the law, no one is permitted to kill his or her fellow human. When you are aggrieved, report to security agents and they will take steps to address your grievances. Do not take anyone’s life. It is criminal to do so.
“Let me assure you that I will lead from the front to guarantee your security. I thank you most sincerely for your cooperation so far and I also thank the security operatives for putting their lives on the line to stop bloodletting in Omala Local Government Area.
“What I want to see going forward, is an Omala that will prosper economically through agriculture and other economic activities. I call on the entire leadership of Kogi East to make the best of this opportunity to ensure we have peace and prosperity.
“When I came here some months ago, I left with tears with the level of devastation and killings. But today, I am happy because peace has returned to Bagana and Omala as a whole. We should come together to embrace peace rather than succumb to the divisive and manipulative tendencies of some enemies of peace”.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Omala Local Government Area, Hon. Mark Ameh Edibo thanked the Governor for his commitment to peace and security in Omala Local Government Area.
He thanked the Governor for making the Forward Operating Base a reality, assuring him that the Local Government Council will cooperate and work with the security agents to make the Local Government peaceful and secured.
