Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of Bauchi State has proposed to Nigerian Army to consider relocating the 33 Armour Brigade Bauchi to a different location along Ningi road in order to pave way for more township expansion in Bauchi .
The governor said the current location of the Brigade within Bauchi metropolis has altered the State’s master plan and has blocked rapid expansion of the metropolis.
He said the location of the Brigade within the metropolis has fueled civilians’ encroachment into the Command’s land
Governor Bala Abdulkadir stated this on Tuesday when he received the Acting General Officer Commanding 3rd Armoured Division, Brigadier General, Musa Dan Madami on a courtesy visit at Council Chambers of the Government House.
The Governor said that growth and development of Bauchi city has made the command to become part of the town with “some civilian formation and villages growing around the Brigade.”
“I intend to write to Mr. President and Chief of Army Staff on the need to relocate the Brigade. I am making collaboration with stakeholders.”
The Governor pleaded with the Acting GOC, 3rd Armoured Division to consolidate on ways for moving the 33 Armoured Brigade out of the state capital “because it is now part of the town.”
He vowed to provide new land for the Nigerian Army to erect a new brigade close to Bauchi Air Force Base along Ningi road so the initial land can revert to Bauchi State Government.
“Bauchi State Government will be part of the construction process so as to help the Army avoid incurring heavy losses,” he explained.
The Governor pledged more logistics to the 33 Brigade to secure Alkaleri oil exploration field, Lame-Bura forest, Yankari Game Reserve and borders of the State with other neighboring states giving level of insecurity in the Northeast.
“Bauchi State is the gateway to Northeast. It is the most peaceful state in the region, hence the influx of people from conflict ridden states in the region.
“Here is not about IDP but constructive engagement and settlement of people coming to the Northeast running away from insecurity,” he said.
Brigadier General Musa Dan Madami, Acting GOC, 3rd Armoured Division said the essence of the visit is to engage security stakeholders in the state on ways tos further deepen peace and security in Bauchi State.
The GOC said “security provision is a collective effort. The military cannot do it alone without logistics and moral support from the governor.
“Current security challenges in the country required a political solution. Political solutions can only work if there is political will as shown by Governor Bala Abdulkadir.”
