Establishment Of FOB In Ikwo: A Laudable Peace-Building Initiative Of Barr. Sunday Nwankwo's Legacy Administration

In the past,Ikwo Local Government Area was confronted with significant challenges resulting from unrest and inter-communal conflicts, which transformed the area into a battle field.  

Pervasive discord affected various parts of Ikwo, with disputes  within and amongst  neighboring communities. Numerous crimes and social vices were prevalent throughout the Council, resulting in property destruction, loss of life, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear. 

In acknowledgment of the imperative for sustainable peace and normalcy, the Executive Chairman of  Ikwo Local Government Area, Barr Sunday B.  Nwankwo, upon assumption of office initiated decisive measures aimed at restoring lasting peace in Ikwo.

The Chairman initiated several security transformative initiatives, including the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) close to the Council Headquarters Onuebonyi Echara, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. 

This Forward Operating Base (FOB) is a secure military outpost located in a combat zone or operational area, designed to support tactical operations and provide a forward presence. It serves as a critical hub for command and control, logistics, intelligence, and enabling sustained military operations within the Council.

Its strategic location at the heart of the two tertiary institutions in Ikwo; Alex Ekweme Federal University Ndufu Alike and Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo, has helped to mitigate crime and other social vices within the two institutions and indeed all areas of Ikwo.

Today,Ikwo's presence on the national peace landscape ,has been solidified by this achievement. These accomplishments by the Council Chairman,Barr Sunday Nwankwo,on restoration of peace in Ikwo have drawn attention from prominent national and international bodies, including the visit of Members of Group 5 (Team Ebonyi) Senior Course 47, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji Kaduna State to Ikwo Local Government Area, with   honours for, Barr Sunday Nwankwo.

Also, In the aftermath of the visit by the National Defence Headquarters via the 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies course, Ikwo LGA has been taken as a model and reference point for maintaining peace in Nigeria.