Establishment
By Shuaibu Tatu
Birnin Kebbi, Oct. 24, 2019 (NAN) The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Brig.-Gen. Aminu Bande, said an armour brigade would soon be established in Kebbi State.
Bande, who disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday during a courtesy call on Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, said this would enhance security in the state.
“We are set to establish an Armour Brigade in Kebbi. Army in 2016 proposed the establishment of the Armour Brigade after the establishment of 8 Division in Sokoto.
”There is supposed to be a Brigade Command in Birnin Kebbi which is Armour Brigade to tackle insecurity in the state.
“We are looking forward to establishing an Armour brigade in Birnin Kebbi with separate batallions around Koko Besse, Bunza, Dakingari and Zuru,” he said.
He stated that the Nigeria Army was exploring the possibility of hastening the establishment of the command, saying that the 17 Brigade was established in Katsina because of the precarious security situation there.
He commended Bagudu for supporting officers and men of the Nigeria Army in the state with logistics, allowances and others.
Bande stated that the presence of the 8 Division in Sokoko was vital to the creation of an enabling environment for the economic growth and development of the state.
“Kebbi State in particular has not been having serious problems like Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States where Nigeria Army is making serious efforts to restore peace,” he said.
Bagudu had earler assured the army of his readiness to facilitate the establishment of the proposed armour brigade in the state.
“The Nigeria Governors Forum has recognised the importance of supporting security agencies, that is why two years ago it approved the release of two billion dollars from the access crude account for the purchase of more equipment for the Army,” the governor said.
He commended all the security agencies for the work they have been doing to ensure peace across the state, pledging to sustain his support to them. (NAN)
SZT/KKA/IS
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Edited by Kola Adeyemi/Ismail Abdulaziz