Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has requested the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to establish an additional Army Battalion on the southern waterways of the state.
The governor made the request on Monday in Uyo while receiving the COAS, who led the Army to Akwa Ibom for a combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters 2024 COAS Conference.
Governor Umo justified the request, saying, “Akwa Ibom, as a leading oil producer in the country, needs a new battalion, preferably in the Oron Federal Constituency of the State.”
He emphasized that the new battalion would “reinforce the security architecture of the State” and acknowledged the synergy between the Army and other security agencies as a major boost to the state’s security.
The COAS, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, explained that the conference was usually held in Abuja, but Akwa Ibom was chosen due to its “hospitable ambience.”
He said, “The case in Akwa Ibom is different; we are here to relax and discuss serious national security concerns.”
Lagbaja appreciated the state’s infrastructural and logistic support to the 2 Brigade Headquarters and other security formations, assuring the Army’s commitment to ensuring security in the state.
He also inaugurated a 55,000-litre water facility and an electricity transformer at Mbiokporo Cantonment, saying, “I am very pleased with the level of infrastructure upgrade in this cantonment. What we have done today is add to what you already have, and to enhance your welfare and readiness for work.”
