ONC Welcomes Establishment Of Army Brigade In Ahoada

The Orashi National Congress, ONC, apex socio-cultural body of Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, has welcomed the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a new Army Brigade with affiliate battalions in Ahoada.

The approval was disclosed by the Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Brig. Gen. Ismaila Sule, during his courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement, ONC described the development as historic, strategic and long overdue.

The Congress said the Orashi region has for years been the epicentre of cult-related violence, communal clashes, kidnapping along the East-West Road, illegal bunkering in the Orashi forest, and attacks on critical national assets. It noted that Ahoada sits as the gateway to the entire Orashi bloc and Northern Rivers, and the absence of a full Brigade left a wide security vacuum.

The group therefore:

1. Commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary directive to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve Divisions, a bold step that has brought the Brigade to the area.

2. Thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Chief of Defence Staff for siting the strategic formation in Ahoada.

3. Thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his consistent support to the Army and for pledging improved support for Sector 3, noting that his reception of Brig. Gen. Sule shows leadership.

4. Pledged full collaboration, saying the ONC, as host stakeholders, will mobilize traditional rulers, youth groups, women and community vigilantes to provide intelligence, land, and civil-military cooperation to ensure the Brigade takes off smoothly.

According to the ONC, the Brigade will reduce agitation, create jobs for Orashi youths, boost investor confidence, protect oil and gas infrastructure, secure the East-West Road, and end the era where Ahoada was seen as ungoverned space.

It called on the Federal Government to expedite funding, permanent barracks construction, and recruitment of Orashi sons and daughters into the Army to man the Brigade.

ONC said Orashi National Congress welcomes with open arms the news of the establishment of the new Army Brigade in the Ahoada axis of Rivers State, outlining why it is a welcome development and how it should be sustained.

On geography, it said Ahoada is central, connecting Bayelsa, Imo, Delta, and all Orashi LGAs, and controls access to the Orashi River, Sombreiro River, and the vast forest reserves used as hideouts for criminals and illegal refiners.

On security threats, it noted that according to Army reports, between 2023 and 2026, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison, 5 Battalion and 29 Battalion repeatedly destroyed illegal refineries in Orashi National Forest, Ahoada West, and recovered arms in Ahoada East, but the menace persists because there is no permanent brigade-strength presence.

It added that over 40 per cent of the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, Eastern Gas network, and AGIP/NNPCL facilities traverse Orashi, and PINL surveillance personnel need Army firepower backup.

On human security, it said cult clashes in Ahoada East and West have claimed hundreds of youths, and establishment of the brigade will deter cultism, restore confidence for farmers to return to farms, and reopen schools.

The group listed direct employment through recruitment, vendors, food supply and construction labour for barracks; reduction of unemployment-induced restiveness which complements PINL’s 35,000 jobs; boost to local economy in markets, housing and transport; improved safety on East-West Road, Ahoada-Omoku road, and Ahoada-Abua road; and encouragement for PIA implementation and investors.

1. Siting should be expedited with temporary take-off base within 30 days.
2. Community Liaison Desk to involve ONC and traditional rulers.
3. Recruitment slot for Orashi youths – at least 30 per cent of rank and file for the Brigade.
4. Civil-Military Relations programme including medical outreaches and school renovations to build trust.
5. Permanent barracks, not just a forward operating base.
6. Synergy with existing 6 Division, 29 Battalion and Operation Delta Safe Sector 3.

“ONC sees the new Brigade not as occupation but as liberation. For decades Orashi people have cried for federal presence beyond oil extraction. This is the first major federal military institution sited in Orashi since independence. It is a new dawn.

“We pass a Vote of Confidence on President Tinubu, COAS Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and Governor Fubara for making this happen. ONC stands ready to partner.

“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long live Rivers State! Long live Orashi Nation!”