By Emmanuel Obisue
Leadership of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has commended the Nigerian military for its role in restoring peace and stability in the state and the entire South East region.
The commendation was made by the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, who highlighted the achievements of the Ikwo Forward Operating Base, FOB, under the Sector 2 Command of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA.
Barr. Nwankwo had seized the opportunity of while he hosted touring Defence Correspondents who visited military operation bases across the region last week, and were led by Lt. Cdr. Godwin Egbunu and Lt. Col. A. A. Bako, Commander Ikwo FOB.
Nwankwo stated that the presence of the FOB has been instrumental in ensuring governance thrives in the area. “We have had a very cohesive relationship with the military. Let me also thank the military for the quality of men you are sending to us. The FOB has been very instrumental to the success of governance in Ikwo Local Government Area. The FOB has been a very friendly base that has helped us so much,” the LGA Chairman said.
Barr. Nwankwo also commended the Defence Headquarters, DHQ for the quality and capacity of personnel deployed to the base, which has further strengthened security and peace in the area.
Also, former Ikwo Council Chairman, Daniel Ogiji, lauded the military’s efforts in stabilizing the region. Ogiji acknowledged the FOB’s vital role in addressing security challenges, noting that Ikwo has moved from a past plagued by crises to enjoying relative peace.
“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. 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,” he said.
Ogiji urged local authorities and communities to see the FOB as allies, emphasizing their role in maintaining peace.
