The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State chapter has called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a military base in Agwara Local Government Area of the state, in order to stop bandits operating from the Kanji Games Reserve.
The Chairman of CAN in the state, and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, made the call while addressing journalists in Suleja Local Government Area over the persistent attacks in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas.
Bishop Yohana admonition comes on the heels of a similar call by a former Senator, Representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and and All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, Ayoade Adeseun, on the Federal Government to establish a military base in Ogbomoso, citing rising insecurity and the strategic importance of the area.
The calls also came barely a week after President Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Army to dispatch a military battalion to Kaiama Local Government in Kwara state where Boko Haram terrorists reportedly killed over 100 persons recently. The incident has attracted global condemnation even as the president has vowed to hunt down the terrorists, who carried out the dastardly act and bring them to justice.
While making a case for the establishment of a military base in Ogbomoso at the weekend, Adeseun described its absence as a huge security gap, citing, for instance, the number of military officers the state has produced, saying the issue should have been addressed long ago.
Adeseun told The Punch that the activities of bandits around the area recently should have prompted the federal government to establish a military base in the area.
Recall that suspected bandits, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, invaded the Old Oyo National Park in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area, killing five National Park Service officers. The part is very close to Ogbomoso.
Bishop Yohana, has also cited the activities of bandits and terrorists around the Kainji National Park, as a major reason why a military base should be established in the area to deter the criminals.
The magazine reports that the state has lately been one of the epicentres of operations of terrorists and bandits. Many people have been killed by the terrorists, who are believed to be using the Games Reserve as hide out for their operations.
According to the Catholic Bishop, the Base should also be equipped with a mobile and armoured detachment capable of pursuing and neutralising bandits operating from nearby game reserves.
Yohanna stressed that the time to act was now, calling on the Federal Government to deploy adequate security personnel, provide necessary logistics and resources, and collaborate with local stakeholders to restore lasting peace in the affected communities.
He also urged the authorities to fortify Police stations and security checkpoints without delay, and advocated the posting of more police officers to Agwara, supported with enhanced vehicular mobility, to improve operational effectiveness.
Adeseun on his part, said the rising activities of bandits in neighbouring state such as Kwara should serves as a source of worry for the federal government on the need to have a military base in the town.
He said the closes military formations in nearby Ilorin, Kwara state. Ibadan and Saki, Oyo state are too far to the town in case the terrorists struck.
“Ibadan is not too far from us, but if something happens along this axis, Oke-Ogun has a battalion in Saki. Between Saki and here is about a three-hour drive. If something happens here, before anybody comes from Saki or Ibadan, all hell would have broken loose,” he stated
“So it is important that we have some kind of military outpost. Even if it is not a full base, we need a combat presence here,” he said.
“There is an educational command around in Ilorin, but they are educational, not combatant. We need a combat formation,” he said.
He also pointed to the town’s proximity to international borders and the risks associated with irregular migration.
“We are very close to the border. People migrate across, and there is no telling where they will show up tomorrow. So we need to be prepared,” he said.
He referenced recent killings in Ikoyi-Ile, Oloka village, as evidence of the need for proactive security measures rather than reactive deployments.
“They killed many people at Ikoyi-Ile in Oloka village. Many lives were lost. They are now sending troops there, but that is after the fact,” Adeseun said.
