Omu-Aran Welcomes New Army Battalion as Leaders Commend Tinubu, AbdulRazaq

The people of Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have welcomed the deployment of a new Nigerian Army battalion to the community, describing the development as a major boost to security across Kwara South.

The reception, held on Tuesday, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, the local government administration and residents, who expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the establishment of the military formation.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, said the community was pleased to host the battalion and assured the officers and soldiers of the full cooperation of traditional institutions and residents.

Oba Adeoti, who pledged maximum support for the welfare and operations of the troops, said the military personnel would receive the necessary assistance to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively. He also expressed appreciation to the military authorities for retaining Omu-Aran as the location of the battalion.

“We are together by the grace of God. The Lord who has brought us together has done so in peace, and we pray that this development will continue to bring blessings, security and progress to our communities,” the monarch said.

The event attracted several traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Alara of Aran-Orin, Alaran of Arandun and Oloko of Oko-Irese, among others, underscoring the importance attached to the new military presence in the area.

The Executive Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Abdulazeez Yakub, also commended the Federal and Kwara State governments for facilitating the establishment of the battalion. He assured the Nigerian Army of the council’s cooperation and support as the troops commence operations.

The President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, Prince Niyi Adeyeye, said the deployment represented an important response to security concerns in Omu-Aran and other parts of Kwara South. He expressed confidence that the presence of the battalion would strengthen efforts to protect lives and property and create a safer environment for economic activities.

Adeyeye also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, local vigilantes and community security volunteers, praising their courage and sacrifices in safeguarding the communities. He further commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his responsiveness to security concerns raised by residents.

A retired military officer and community leader, General Lasisi Abidoye, similarly praised President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for their roles in bringing the battalion to Omu-Aran. He assured the newly deployed officers and soldiers of the community’s support as they undertake their security responsibilities.

Speaking at the occasion, the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, thanked the people of Omu-Aran for the warm reception accorded the officers and soldiers. He explained that the deployment formed part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity across the country.

According to Rume, the Chief of Army Staff deployed the battalion to strengthen security operations and respond to security incidents across Kwara South. He described the occasion as significant and urged the troops to justify the confidence placed in them by both the military authorities and the host community.

Rume expressed particular appreciation for the turnout of residents, noting that the reception demonstrated the level of goodwill already enjoyed by the Army in the area. He told the troops that strong community support would be crucial to the success of their assignment, stressing that cooperation between security personnel and residents would make the task considerably easier.

The establishment of the battalion is therefore being viewed by stakeholders in Omu-Aran and the wider Kwara South area as a significant step towards strengthening security, improving public confidence and creating a more conducive environment for social and economic development.