The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has said strategic placement of military barracks and forward operating bases in or near local communities serves as a vital infrastructure for deterrence, rapid response, and local economic integration.
He also stated that embedding military infrastructure in volatile or frontline areas shifts the security posture from reactive responses to preventative protection, deterring banditry and other criminal sanctuaries.
In a release by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade stated this on Wednesday while receiving a project inspection team from the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, who paid him a courtesy visit.
In May this year, some pupils and teachers from the Yawota, Esin-Elee Oyo, and Alawusa communities in the Orire local government area of Oyo State were abducted by bandits. The affected communities were dominated by Oyo indigenes.
They were later released from captivity barely three months after, following the intervention by a combined team of the military and the police.
Consequently, there had been repeated calls by the Alaafin and other relevant stakeholders for the establishment of a military base as an existential urgency to counter insurgency in the area.
The Federal Government eventually acceded to these calls by approving the establishment of a military base at the Ote-Efon community in the Atiba local government area, with close proximity to Orire communities and Iseyin town.
In line with the approval, the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, constituted a Project Monitoring team led by Dr. Jude Alorio as the Project Director.
The project team, accompanied by the local committee, today inspected the large expanse of land donated for the construction of the military base at Ote-Efon community.
The Paramount Ruler noted that amid various counterinsurgency efforts, one strategy often underutilized but profoundly effective is the strategic placement of military barracks in hotbeds of insurgency.
According to him, “This could be the surgical intervention that the country desperately needs not only to suppress threats but also to reassure and rebuild confidence among the citizenry in the power and presence of the Nigerian state.
Military barracks are not just buildings; they are symbols of state authority, operational readiness, and psychological assurance. The physical presence of trained armed forces deters any act of insurgency, disrupts criminal sanctuaries, and introduces a permanent security infrastructure that cannot be easily overwhelmed or withdrawn like a special task force.
When barracks are located far from conflict zones, deployment is reactionary; security operatives arrive after the damage has been done. But when military infrastructure is embedded in the heart of volatile zones, the state becomes both proactive and preventative. Barracks serve as launchpads for swift response operations, intelligence gathering, and community-military partnerships.
Oba Owoade further pointed out that “Military installations stimulate commerce by creating jobs, increasing demand for housing and transport services, and fostering localized markets, just as host communities often benefit from spillover investments, such as improved access roads, healthcare access, power supply, and water projects linked to military garrisons. Integrated bases facilitate joint intelligence gathering, community-oriented welfare outreaches, and structured dialogue between security forces and civilian leadership”.
Alaafin therefore lauded President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Defence for approving the establishment of a military base at Ote-Efon, which he posited would further strengthen security, improve rapid response to threats, protect communities, and enhance the safety of lives and property across the affected local government areas.
Earlier, Dr. A. Florio expressed delight at what he referred to as “seriousness and commitment” of the local committee in working together with the monitoring team in achieving its aims and objectives.
According to him, “I must say that we are indeed grateful for the support and cooperation. The place is beautiful, and the General Officer Commanding the 2nd Mechanized Division is delighted about it and very much interested”.
While expressing the monitoring team’s gratitude for the warm reception of them, Dr. Alorio requested a survey of the acquired land in order to facilitate timely construction of the project.
In the same vein, Arch-Bishop Emeritus Lawrence Ayoade Ladigbolu said, “Today is a memorable one. A day that the Federal Government decides that the people of Oyo matter deserves attention. A day that the people’s hope is being rekindled. A day that despite the coming, the way of the people is for protection against banditry and other criminal onslaughts. The good people of Oyo gladly appreciate these and are sincerely grateful to the Federal Government.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of a letter of authorisation, and documents on the landed property by the Alaafin to the monitoring team leader, Dr. Alorio.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
