Army Seeks Kogi Monarchs’ Support For Enhanced Security

The new commander of 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Isang Akpaumontia, has appealed for support from traditional rulers to boosting security in Kogi State.

He made the appeal on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to Etsu Bassa – Nge Kingdom, HRM Alhaji Brig-Gen. Abu Ali (rtd); and the Aguma of Bassa, HRM Jimba William Keke.

The Army chief had earlier last week paid courtesy visits to the Atta Igala, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and the Obaro of Kabba to seek their maximum support.

In his short remarks at Bassa-Nge Kingdom, the Brigade commander, thanked the traditional ruler for the warm reception, describing the visit as a unique one being a retired general in the Nigerian Army and now a royal father.

Akpaumontia said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Farouk Yahaya, deemed it necessary to upgrade the Command Army (CAR) to 12 Brigade headquarters Nigerian Army, to enhance security in Kogi State.

According to him, “as the commander I decided to pay courtesy visits to traditional rulers across the state to seek your support and collaborations to boost security in the state, and to convey the goodwill of the COAS to you and the people of Kogi.

“We shall be coming to you from time to time to seek your fatherly counsel, advice and collaborations which is the idea and initiative of the COAS to boosting security across the state and the nation at large.”

The brigade commander assured the royal fathers of improved security across the state.

He, however, warned criminal elements in the state to turn a new leaf or move out of the state, stressing that it would never be business as usual.

In his response, the Royal father welcomed the commander and the respectable members of his entourage for the courtesy visit.

The monarch noted that the formation of 12 Brigade Lokoja was long overdue because of the uniqueness of Lokoja as the center of Nigeria, and therefore commended the COAS for the formation.

The Etsu Bassa-Nge further commended the Nigerian Army for the establishment of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Oguma, with the deployment of brilliant and hardworking personnel which according to him, had helped in curbing communal clashes, crimes and criminalities in the area.