The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman South East Governors’ Forum Chief David Umahi, has acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Army in the settlement of land border disputes and bloody communal conflicts in several parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, Cross River and Benue States in recent times.
Mr Umahi, gave the commendation at the Army Headquarters on Monday, during a visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.
While emphasizing the need for community policing, Gov Umahi also said “Governors of the South East have resolved to convene a security council meeting in their respective states to decide the number of road blocks and places they will be mounted by the Army, Police and other security agencies.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for maintaining neutrality and impartiality before and during the last general elections in Ebonyi and other states of the South East.
He further stated that “as the chairman of the Governors’ forum, I have been mandated to convey the gratitude of the SE Governors to you and the Army personnel especially those operating in the SE zone.
The Governor, appealed to the COAS to give approval for the establishment of Army formations/ units in the southern part of the state in order to stem the wave of insecurity disturbing the peace and stability of the communities in the area.
He further disclosed that temporary facilities are available for the take-off of the Barracks if approval is given for the establishment, assuring that the State Government will provide necessary infrastructure for the units or formations when established by the Army Chief.
Responding, Lt. Gen. Buratai, lauded the developmental strides of the Governor, which he said has transformed Ebonyi and also engendered peace and mutual cohesion in the State.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for rehabilitating/reconstructing road network and other intervention measures in infrastructural projects at Nkwagwu Military Cantonment in Abakaliki.
The COAS pledged the Nigerian Army’s support to the Governor and the good people of Ebonyi State saying his officers and men will continue to be responsive, impartial and professional in the discharge of their constitutional roles in the region and indeed in all other parts of the country.
General Buratai used the opportunity to thank the Governor and the Senate of Ebonyi State university for naming Centre for Contemporary Security Studies and Research after his name, now known as General Tukur Buratai Centre for Contemporary Security Studies and Research.
The Chief of Policy and Plans Army, Lt Gen LO Adeosun, Chief of Training and Operations Maj Gen EO Udo, Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen SA Adebayo, Director General Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Maj Gen VO Ezugwu and the Provost Marshal Army Brig Gen H Ahmed were among the senior officers at the occasion.
