The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the immediate establishment of a specialized army base at Ahoro-Esinele in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Named the 169 Motorcycle Battalion, the strategic combat unit is part of a direct response by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to curb rising banditry and protect vulnerable border communities.

The milestone security development was officially made public by the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III. The monarch announced the approval on Monday following a high-level briefing with senior officers of the Nigerian Army who visited his Oja’gbo palace to finalize operational frameworks.

Led by Major General Olabanji (rtd), the military delegation included Major General Audu, Major General Danja, and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Ogbomoso. The traditional ruler held extensive deliberations with the top brass regarding the immediate construction, logistical planning, and regional development of the proposed military facility.

According to Oba Olaoye, the establishment of the combat base is being facilitated in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior. The traditional ruler emphasized that the newly approved battalion would drastically improve the state’s security infrastructure and optimize the rapid-response operational capacity of security personnel deployed to the region.

Expressing his deep gratitude to the military hierarchy and the presidency, the Soun commended the Tinubu administration for honoring its word. The first-class monarch noted that the intervention has become deeply vital given the recent traumatic security breaches at Ahoro-Esinele, which directly threatened the lives of local residents and educators.

The security crisis peaked recently when bandits raided Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele, abducting over 40 teachers, students, and pupils, alongside the school principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu. The victims were held captive in deep forest reserves for 56 grueling days before a coordinated tactical operation by state security forces successfully rescued them.

To prevent a recurrence, the newly formed 169 Motorcycle Battalion will operate as a specialized combat unit under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered at Odogbo, Ibadan. The battalion is explicitly tasked with managing heavy security deployments, conducting aggressive patrols, and securing the expansive, porous boundaries of the Old Oyo National Park.

The combat unit is uniquely structured to utilize specialized military motorcycles to ensure high tactical mobility across rugged terrains that are inaccessible to heavy military trucks. Reaffirming his community`s support, the Soun vowed that the palace would provide all necessary resources to authorities, maintaining that a safe and prosperous Ogbomosoland relies on collective vigilance.

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