The Nigerian Army, on Friday, deployed troops in the Abejukolo and Bagana communities of Kogi to strengthen the security architecture of the state.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information, disclosed this in a statement.

Omala and some neighbouring local government areas have been enmeshed in conflicts over the past one year, culminating in the loss of lives and property.

Mr Fanwo explained that the troops were deployed in the newly approved Forward Operating Base, Abejukolo and the Patrol Base in Bagana, both in Omala Local Government Area.

The commissioner said the deployment would give a “vista of hope” to the people of Kogi East in particular and Kogi as a whole and assured the people that the days of criminals in the state were numbered.

“The high level of insecurity in Omala and the neighbouring local government areas in Kogi East informed the decision of the state government to request for the establishment of the formations.

“This is to combat crime and make criminality a thing of the past in the area.

“As a responsible and responsive governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo has taken the right decision to restore security and normalcy to the eastern part of Kogi, where many lives were lost to insecurity.

“This is a promise fulfilled as the deployment is the sequel to Gov. Ododo’s earlier visit to Omala during the crisis,” he said.

According to him, Gov. Usman Ododo has promised to take the right steps to arrest the trend of insecurity in Omala LGA.

Mr Fanwo said that the state government was grateful to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, as well as the nation’s security chiefs for their commitment to ensuring security in Kogi.

He added: “Gov. Usman Ododo is committed to his pledge to spare no resources to ensure the security and safety of the Kogi people.

“We call on our people in Omala and the entire Kogi East to cooperate with the troops in order for them to ensure that insecurity doesn’t raise its ugly head in the area again.”

(NAN)