The Nigerian Army has commissioned its new Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Kafanchan as part of its promise to tackle insecurity/herdsmen and communal crisis in Southern Kaduna.
Speaking at the event, the GOC 1 Division, Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said that the aim of providing a barrack in the area is to ensure peace building, not only in Kafanchan, but the whole southern Kaduna.
In his speech, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who was represented by Major General R.O Yusuf, said the base was designed to serve as a critical staging area for effective conduct of operations by own troops in the general area.
“We intend to consolidate on the efforts so far achieved in curtailing cattle rustling, banditry, ethno-religious crisis, farmers/herders clashes and other criminalities in the area”, he said.
He added that troops in North East have recorded tremendous successes in Operation Lafiya Dole by decimating and degrading the terrorists thus pushing them to search for alternative abode.
He said that the Army Headquarters decided to establish a Forward Base which will be the nucleus upon which the future unit will be created and expanded as provided for in the new NA ORBAT 2016.
The Army Chief commended the Nigerian Army Engineers who handled the construction work and reaffirm the Army’s loyalty and support to President, Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo for their interest and untiring support to the Nigerian Army and its activities.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufa’i, in his remarks commended the army for establishing the base in Southern Kaduna.
He was represented by his Special Assistant on Security, Y. Soja.
He said: “I sincerely appreciate the Chief of Army Staff for this wonderful achievement within a short period of time; which took only three months.”
Present at the commissioning event were traditional rulers and the Local Governments Administrators of Zone three in the state.
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