Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has called for the establishment of a military operation base in the eastern part of the state to help curb criminal activities.

Mr Abiodun made the call on Thursday when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj- Gen. Farooq Mijinyawa, in his office in Abeokuta.

He noted that the high volume of commercial activities in the eastern part of the state also comes with criminal activities, hence the need to beef up security in the area.

The governor said military presence was needed to check the activities of migrating criminals from neighbouring states.

“I think one of the things you can do to help us sustain the peace that we have been enjoying in Ogun State is to think of putting some base, maybe some form of forward operation base, in the eastern part of the state.

“Right now, we are at the centre where we have the state capital. We have  a presence in Ogun West, but I think because of the level of commercial activities that are beginning to evolve in the eastern flank of the state, particularly with our airport there, you are going to see an exponential increase in business activities,” he said.

According to him, the army has often responded with dispatch through OP-MESA to places like Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode when there are issues.

He said the government had to put men in Sagamu-Ogijo ”because these bad boys are constantly travelling between Ikorodu, Ogijo, Sagamu, and at times we have issues with cultists, which sometimes get very bad.”

“We cannot have news filtering out of the state that will make potential investors uncomfortable, and you know that part of dealing with criminals is to be proactive by discouraging them.

“When they see your presence, they want to go to places where they can easily perpetrate their crimes.

“I think we can have men of the Nigerian Army there permanently, and we as a state will provide whatever it is that you need to facilitate so that it can happen immediately.

“If we have something around the Remo axis, that will make it easier for the Army to deploy within minutes,” he said.

The governor stressed that security was vital for economic activities, adding that his administration could not have implemented its vision in a chaotic environment.

Mr Abiodun said that although Ogun was one of the most peaceful states, its geographical location had put pressure on the government to provide infrastructure and security to the people at all times.

The governor promised to assist the army and other security agencies in the state to optimally perform their constitutional duties.

Mr Mijinyawa appreciated the governor for his constant support for the army, especially in the area of welfare for the wives of fallen heroes, annual Army celebrations, and needed logistics.

” Let me assure you that we will step up our efforts to ensure improved security in the state,” the GOC said.

(NAN)