FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – The Nasarawa State Government has pledged to provide land and temporary facilities for the establishment of the newly approved 10 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and its affiliate battalions across the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule made the commitment on Thursday when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Army Headquarters led by the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Standards and Evaluation, Major General Utsasha Raymond, at the Government House in Lafia.
Major General Raymond, who is also the Team Leader of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle Committee, disclosed that the Army was implementing a major restructuring following a presidential proclamation of July 23 that expanded the Nigerian Army structure from eight to 12 divisions.
According to him, the restructuring resulted in the creation of the 5 Division, with its headquarters in Makurdi and operational coverage extending across Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi States.
He said Nasarawa State had been designated to host the headquarters of the 10 Brigade in Lafia, while affiliate battalions would be established in Awe, Akwanga-Wamba, Nasarawa-Toto and Loko. He added that the 401 Brigade would also relocate from Makurdi to Doma.
The Deputy Chief of Army Staff explained that the new formations were intended to increase military presence, reduce response time to security threats and strengthen the protection of lives and property.
He appealed to the state government to assist with temporary facilities for the formations while also facilitating the eventual issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for land earmarked for permanent military barracks.
Responding, Governor Sule expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, for the decision to strengthen military presence in Nasarawa State.
The Governor disclosed that the state had already identified suitable locations for the new formations through a security committee headed by a retired Major General.
He specifically mentioned a facility in Shabu, which was previously used for internally displaced persons and isolation purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic, as one of the locations the government was prepared to renovate and upgrade for the 10 Brigade headquarters.
According to him, additional sites had been identified in Wamba and Nasarawa town for the affiliate battalions.
Governor Sule said the locations were selected based on security considerations, particularly the state’s borders with Plateau and Kaduna States, as well as the need to safeguard ongoing mining investments.
He also said the deployment of a battalion to Awe would strengthen security along the Nasarawa-Benue border and address concerns over criminal elements allegedly using the area as a hideout.
The Governor stressed that the state government would not provide protection or cover for criminals, irrespective of their ethnic background.
He assured the Army that Certificates of Occupancy for the identified sites would be processed and handed over in due course.
Governor Sule further commended personnel of the various security agencies operating in the state, including police formations in Keffi and Doma and the Nigerian Air Force component in Lafia, for their contributions to the state’s security efforts.
He described the establishment of the new military formations as a significant boost to security and an indication of proactive intervention by the Federal Government to strengthen security across the country.
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
