... We are blessed to have a Military FOB
... Calls For military personnel welfare elevation
The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo has praised the Nigerian Military for restoring peace and stability in the Ebonyi State, especially in the South eastern part of the Country.
Barr. Nwankwo gave the commendation when he received Defence Correspondents from Abuja during their tour to military operation bases in the troubled zones of South East. Defence Correspondents were earlier received by the Commander Sector 2 OPUK, Lt. Col Audu Bako who later led the crew to her Office of the Chairman, Ikwo LGA.
Highlighting the impact of the Ikwo Forward Operating Base (FOB), under the Sector 2 Command of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, Barr. Nwankwo said it is a blessing for us having a military FOB at the local government having experienced communal crisis and various crimes.
"I took up this responsibility as the Chairman of Ikwo Local government since 2022 after the General elections and let me say with every sense of responsibilities tha since the first posting of the military troops to assist in election security, its been wonderful with them. We have a very cohesion relationship, and to show you how we feel and i worked hard to put the FOB there and I have always being collaborating with them.
He thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa for the quality of personnel deployed in Ebonyi State. He said sometimes, when one Officers are leaving, the whole community anticipate to know who is replacing them.
"There is this sense of renewal of capacity. When one goes and we want to miss him, another one comes with some amiable features that makes you begin to say, Its like they have them in stock for Ebonyi State.
A traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Eze Sir Dominic PAKSJ, JP and the Ambassador of Peace, Orimoguje III said there is great security in his community, Amagikwo. There is no problem, there are no clashes, there are no serious challenges.
He said farmers now go to farm even at night because peace has returned to the area courtesy of operation Udi Ka’s efforts through mass deployments of soldiers and adequate logistics.
"It's very good because we have been doing around the clock, checking people, where we notice some movements that is a bit dubious. We go into that area and make sure we track the people that have come in. But if we find out that they are not doing the right thing, we normally apprehend them and report them to the security agencies in order to be taken to the custody.
"The military are doing a great job. In fact, within five minutes of a call to them, you normally see them around, coming to answer. And you know, in our local parlance, they normally say, the presence of a native doctor drives away devil, and each time you notice that a soldier is there, an army officer is there, normally all the hoodlums used to disappear. So they are always there, attentive. We work in collaboration with them and the police.
Comparing the security since he has been on the throne for over 35 years, as the oldest person in the throne and as a retired army officer, he disclosed that the presence of FOB, improved the security of the community to become better.
A Former Ikwo Council Chairman, Hon. Daniel Ogiji, lauded the military’s efforts in stabilizing the region. He described Ikwo as one of the largest LGAs in Ebonyi State, with a dense population and vast agricultural potential, emphasizing the need for its division to bring governance closer to the people.
Ogiji acknowledged the FOB’s vital role in addressing security challenges, noting that Ikwo LGA has moved from a past plagued by crises to enjoying relative peace. Reflecting on his tenure, he recalled conflicts with Abi LGA in Cross River State and the emergence of IPOB-related challenges.
“The issue of IPOB was a recent development; that is why we say community policing is very important. So far, we have been managing to contain them,” he said. “The FOB is very important. Once there is conflict, the presence of the army brings calmness. There were situations where certain crises were beyond our control, but the arrival of the FOB brought sanity. We call on the government to assist them with a rugged vehicle to navigate the difficult terrain.”
Ogiji urged local authorities and communities to see the FOB as allies, emphasizing their role in maintaining peace.
Hon Mrs. Nweke Janet Gloria, a leader of Ikwo legislative council emphasized that there is cordial relationship between the youths, women and soldiers, noting that, before the launching of FOB at Ikwo LGA, women often had altercation with youths, they experience harassment and attacks but since the launch of FOB all the attacks stopped.
"Our women are happy, they go about their business freely without any harassment or attack. As a leader, i sensitized youths to learn hardwork in order for them to shun crime.
A former councillor in the LGA, who preferred anonymity, called on the federal government to improve the welfare of military personnel. He stressed the complexity of their duties, particularly in combating IPOB/ESN terrorists and addressing other security challenges in the South-East and across Nigeria.
An Ikwo indigene, Deaconess Angelina Ogboji also applauded the military, expressing gratitude for the peace they have brought to the area. “The peace you have brought has come to stay, and nobody can destroy it,” she declared
Dr. Sam Ude, a respected elder in the community, described the military’s presence as a blessing to Ikwo and the region. “Ikwo is blessed to have the military. Ikwo is the largest LGA, with 20 large wards. The FOB deserves special attention because of the topography of the area,” he stated.
Dr. Ude appealed to the federal government to reinforce the FOB with special vehicles for effective patrols. “We are all working to achieve a common goal. We are happy you are here. Thank you very much,” he concluded.
