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In a bid to enhance security in Ekiti State, the Nigerian Army headquarters initiated the deployment of Army personnel, with the first batch arriving in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Thursday, February 8.
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The military personnel, who arrived in Ado, gathered at Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, where they conducted a parade before dispersing to various locations to commence their operations.
The troop was received by the special adviser on security matters to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Brig General Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd).
Ogundana said that the deployment of military personnel followed a series of deliberations between the governor and Service Chiefs in Abuja, prompted by recent violent incidents in the state, including the gruesome killing of two monarchs and the abduction of some school children and their teachers.
Gen. Ogundana, who emphasized the state’s firm stance against criminal tendencies and the determination of the state government to ensure that the forests being used as hideouts for criminal activities were combed and free the state of all criminal infiltrators, added that the state would leave no stone unturned in the bid to preserve lives and properties of citizens
While urging residents to maintain calm and carry on with their daily activities without fear but, he urged them to promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
Justifying Governor Oyebanji’s multifaceted approach to combating criminality, Gen Ogundana said the government would continue to safeguard the lives and properties of Ekiti State citizens by all possible means, even while working hard to bring all perpetrators of the heinous crimes to book.
Welcoming the soldiers to the state, Ogundana assured them of the state government’s comprehensive preparation to support their mission and make their stay in the state worthwhile.
Briefing Journalists shortly after their parade, the Commander of the troop, Brig. Gen, John Lar, said the men and officers were on a special mission to comb the various hideouts of criminals and bandits in their various hiding places in the forests.
Brig. Gen. Lar affirmed that the activities of the military in the state would commence immediately as he sought the cooperation of residents during the military exercise in the state to enable them to achieve the desired success.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, for deploying additional troops to support and strengthen military activities in the state, adding that they were set to expose hideouts of all bandits and criminals in the state.
While stressing that the military would work all days and nights to clear the forests of infiltrators, Brig. Gen. Lar disclosed that the military personnel would be swiftly deployed to their designated positions, emphasizing heightened border surveillance to dismantle criminal networks operating within the forests.