Time to return military barracks to Ogbomoso

Time to return military barracks to Ogbomoso

Femi OGUNLANA

Without gainsaying Ogbomoso in Oyo state is ripe for an army barracks. Its strategic location as the major gateway to the southwest of Nigeria from the north, its size, security considerations among others constitute some technical reasons for the location of an army barracks in her domain. Culturally and historically, Ogbomoso boasts a prestigious record of being a military base pre-colonial era serving as a bastion of protection for many clans and people. Thus, siting a military barracks here will be honouring an enviable heritage. Furthermore, the community has in modern time produced excellent military personnel whose contributions continue to highlight the best of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Their larger-than-life image persistently straddles the Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy. Names like Brig. Benjamin “Maja” Adekunle a.k.a. Black Scorpion (Nigeria’s Civil War hero), Col. Shittu Alao (second Nigerian made Chief of IR Force), Col. Adegboyega Adeniran (Civil War hero), Major Gen. Oladayo Popoola (former military governor in two states, Col. Ibrahim Taiwo (former military governor), Col. Daniel Akintonde (former military governor), Air Commodore Layi Atanda (military pilot), are few of the men who heroically paid their dues. And in the current setting, military officers of Ogbomoso origin are holding their own.

But more than that the strategic location of the city and security considerations make it an ideal place for gilding with a military barrack. In recent times, in the face of the escalating threats of banditry and terrorism, which is on the verge of seeping into the southwest, the need to ramp up operational readiness of counter terrorism forces is essential. That is part of the reasons building an army barrack in Ogbomoso is crucial, it will help training, mission deployment and mitigation of vulnerability of the region. Nigeria cannot afford to have another theatre of banditry/ terrorism in the southwest; the havocs consistently wrecked by these criminals elsewhere are frightening. Proactiveness is core in security issue. The menace needs quick response and the presence of a military barrack will serve the purpose well. Ogbomoso used to have an army barracks; it was taken away due to irreconcilable differences between the inhabitants and the soldiers then, so it is not as if one is merely seeking the advent of one, it is asking for restoration of what used to be.

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BREAKING: Suspected bandits kill 5 park rangers at Oloka Ogbomoso

BREAKING: Suspected bandits kill 5 park rangers at Oloka Ogbomoso ;”>

Oyo state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde made allusion to military presence in the northern border of the state recently during a condolence visit to Oloka town in Oriire local government area where suspected bandits killed five park rangers in cold blood. Speaking at the event he promised to have an interface with the army authorities on the essentialness of having a military base in the axis in the face of the intensifying insecurity threat in the region and against the background of the vastness of the area. Oriire in Ogbomoso zone as an instance is the largest local government area in the southwest of Nigeria. Governor Makinde hit the nail on the head as per the critical matter with his candid submission at Oloka, it needs be stated that not a military base but a full-blown barracks is required. It is incumbent on the authorities to also assess its credibility. But if a governor identified the need, then it is a serious matter, and it needs holistic consideration. In another dimension, returning the military barracks to Ogbomoso will boost the economic front of the city and improve its social life. The government owes its citizens such.

Thus, the authorities are charged to return the Nigerian army barracks taken away from Ogbomoso in recognition of the reality of the contemporary situation in the country.