Nigerian Army high command has deployed troops to the new Army Battalion in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
President Bola Tinubu last month approved the establishment of an Army battalion as a measure against banditry in the area.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony for the troops, Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, said the traditional rulers and people of the community were pleased with the establishment of the Army battalion in Omu-Aran under Commanding Officer Lt.-Col. Kehinde Avoseh.
‘I want to assure you that our support, especially in terms of the welfare of the battalion, will be 100 per cent by the grace of God. You will enjoy your stay in Omu-Aran.
‘We are together by the grace of God. The Lord who has brought us together has done so in peace, and we pray that this development will continue to bring blessings, security and progress to our communities,’ the monarch added.
Oba Adeoti expressed appreciation to the military authorities for ensuring that the location of the battalion was not changed.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Alara of Aran Orin, Alaran of Arandun, and Oloko of Oko Irese
The council Chair Abdulazeez Yakub, expressed appreciation to the Federal and Kwara State governments for the establishment of the battalion.
Yakub assured the Army of the council’s support.
‘On behalf of the people of Irepodun Local Government, I assure you of our full cooperation and support as you carry out your duties,’ he said.
Also, the President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), Prince Niyi Adeyeye, said the deployment of the battalion to Omu-Aran would restore peace and security in the community and Kwara South.
Adeyeye commended security agencies, local vigilantes and community security volunteers for their courage, dedication and sacrifices in protecting the communities.
He also commended AbdulRazaq for his efforts and responsiveness to the concerns of the people.
‘We are particularly grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for responding decisively to the security concerns of the people of Kwara South and Omu-Aran in particular,’ the council chairman said.
‘This intervention is a significant demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians and restoring peace, confidence and economic stability to the communities.’
Also, a community leader and retired General, Lasisi Abidoye, acknowledged the efforts of President Tinubu and AbdulRazaq towards the establishment of the new battalion and assured officers and men of the Army deployed to Omu-Aran of maximum support to carry out their duties.
Earlier, the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig Gen. Nicholas Rume, expressed appreciation to the people of Omu-Aran for the warm reception accorded the officers and soldiers.
He said the deployment was part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity across the country.
‘It is a very remarkable day for all of us, and we all know that as part of the President’s Strategic Directive, the Nigerian Army is expanding. The Chief of Army Staff, on his own part, to achieve his strategic vision, has deployed his battalion here to take care of security incidents in Kwara South.
Rume thanked residents of Omu-Aran axis for their support to the Army.
‘I sincerely appreciate everybody for coming out. This is really surprising. I was just expecting to come and start cleaning our rooms and entering. We didn’t know that anything of this was being planned. So, thank you everybody for coming out.
‘To my soldiers and officers out there, you can see the kind of support you already have on coming here. So I don’t think that the task would be difficult. When you have the people on your side, I think 75 percent of the job is done,’ the army chief added.