The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to establish permanent military bases at the Kiri axis in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area and the Ayere-Akunu border in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State to combat rising cases of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Hon. Salman Idris, during plenary. He said the two corridors serve as strategic routes linking the North-Central with the South-West and other southern parts of the country, making them vulnerable to criminal activities.
Idris noted that the vast forests spanning Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Ondo and Edo states have become hideouts for armed bandits and terrorists, who launch attacks, operate camps and abduct residents and travellers for ransom. He blamed the growing insecurity on the absence of permanent military formations in the affected areas.
He expressed concern that the worsening security situation has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, threatening food production and the livelihoods of communities that depend largely on agriculture.
The lawmaker commended Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the state’s joint security task force for their efforts but stressed that the challenge requires stronger federal military intervention. He cited the recent killing of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo during a joint operation that foiled an attempt to abduct students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in Iluke as proof that sustained military operations can curb criminal activities.
Following the debate, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of Army Staff, to establish permanent military formations at the Kiri and Ayere-Akunu axes.
Lawmakers also directed the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to deploy a joint tactical force to flush out criminals from the forests, dismantle their camps and rescue victims in captivity. The Committees on Defence, Army, Police Affairs and National Security were mandated to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks.
