Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called for the establishment of an additional Army battalion around the coastal communities of the southern part of the State.
Governor Umo Eno made the call while playing host to the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who paid a courtesy visit on him in Uyo, on Monday.
General Lagbaja is the State for the combined 2nd and 3rd quarters edition of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference holding from August 26 to August 30, 2024.
With strategic role played by the State as a leading oil producer in the country, the Governor, reiterated the need for a new battalion, preferably in the Oron federal constituency of the State.
The Governor who had previously donated gunboats and patrol vehicles among other security measures, said the new battalion would reinforce the security architecture of the State.
Acknowledging the reflection of federal character in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army, Governor Eno lauded their commitment to preserving the nation’s democracy and security, and expressed hope that normalcy will soon be restored in troubled areas in the country.
He commended the synergy between the Army formations in the State and other security agencies, saying it is a major boost to the security of the state, assuring of the State Government’s readiness to lend all necessary support to enable the establishment of the proposed army base.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Lagbaja, speaking earlier, said the courtesy call on the Governor was traditional, to register the presence of the Nigerian Army in the host state for the week-long conference.
He commended the peaceful and hospitable ambience of the state, which, he affirmed, informed the choice of the state for the conference.
Lagbaja noted that the conference is usually hosted in Abuja, stressing that when taken outside Abuja, it is always to troubled spots, as a show of force.
The Nigerian Army Chief, however, said the case in Akwa Ibom was different as they were in the State to relax and discuss serious national security concerns.
He expressed the appreciation of the Nigerian Army to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State for the infrastructural and logistic support extended to the 2 Brigade headquarters in the State, as well as the warm reception of his team to the State, assuring of the continuous commitment of the Army to exert itself in ensuring security and safety of citizens.
