Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has described the establishment of an Army Forward Operation Base, FOB, in Epe as a new security strategy to secure Lagos.

Ambode said this was a new strategy to keep the outer spaces safe, saying there was need for the military presence in Ikorodu and Badagry.

He said in a remark as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, operationalise the FOB, thanking the army and other security agencies, who he said had promptly moved in to eliminate criminal elements from Epe, an area he said was once noted for kidnapping and cultism.

The governor, however, said Lagos had remain relatively secured in the last three years following efforts of the security agencies, adding that was partly responsible for the growing economy of the state.

He promised to continue to support the army and security agencies in the discharge of their duties in the state.

Earlier, Buratai said a forward operation base would soon be set up in Ikorodu as part of efforts to rid the state of kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other forms of criminality.

He also said the Army Ordnance Corps at Yaba and the 81 Division Ordnance in the state would soon be moved to Epe to give way for construction of rail track in those areas by the Federal Government.

Buratai said the presence of those formations in the town would help to secure it as Epe serve as gate way to other states through land and sea.

Earlier at the Palace of Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe land, Buratai told the the traditional ruler that the FOB would help in preventing criminal elements from re-entering the town after being flushed out through an operation.

The Oba commended the military, saying they had played significant role in ensuring the security, peace and unity of the nation.

General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major-General Eniobong Udoh said Epe in recent past had been notorious for kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

He said the establishment of the FOB in the area would assist in checkmating the menace.