Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called for the establishment of an additional Army battalion in the Oron axis of the state’s southern fringes.
This strategic move aims to address persistent security challenges in the state’s coastal areas.
Governor Eno made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Government House, Uyo,.
The visit coincided with the opening of the combined 2nd and 3rd quarters edition of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference, which is being held in Akwa Ibom State from August 26 to August 30, 2024.
In his remarks, Governor Eno expressed appreciation for the Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding democracy and ensuring national security. He particularly commended the synergy between Army formations and other security agencies in the state, highlighting that this collaboration significantly enhances the security landscape.
He further assured the Army of the State Government’s full support in establishing the proposed battalion.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, in his address, acknowledged the traditional protocol of paying a courtesy visit to the host state’s governor during such conferences.
He praised Akwa Ibom’s peaceful and welcoming environment, noting that this atmosphere was a primary reason for selecting the state as the conference venue. Unlike other instances where the conference is held in troubled regions as a show of force, the COAS explained that the choice of Akwa Ibom was to provide a serene setting for discussing critical national security issues.
The Army Chief also expressed gratitude to the Akwa Ibom State Government and its people for their infrastructural and logistical support to the 2 Brigade headquarters in the state. He assured that the Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
