Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has requested a battalion from the Nigerian Army to secure ungoverned spaces in the state. According to Kefas, the support of the army was needed to dominate ungoverned spaces in the state to combat security threats they posed to Taraba residents.  
   
Speaking during a visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, the governor promised to bear the cost of having a battalion in his state.  
He said: “We are in critical need of security in the state. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is familiar with our terrain, and the problems we are facing.  We have borders with six states, Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Gombe, Plateau and Bauchi. Our challenge is very high.  We cannot solve it without your support. 
  
 “We intend to dominate the vast ungoverned spaces in our state to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.  To achieve this, we will require a battalion. We are ready to give you our support to achieve this.  We need serious support to dominate the uncovered spaces to counter some of the threats we have.”

The COAS, General Taoreed Lagbaja, pledged to deploy more combat enablers to the state.   He, however, noted that a battalion already existed in Borno, North East, promising the prompt commencement of a unit in the state. 
   
Lagbaja said:  “My knowledge of Taraba is deeply entrenched, because I served there for eight or nine years. And I always remember Taraba because I almost got killed during the Tiv-Jukumi crisis.  I appreciate the governor for what he has done.  
   
“As part of our efforts to ensure peace and stability in the state, we have activated our 16 brigade.  We appreciate your interventions to ensure our operational effectiveness in the state.  We want to expand the frontier of peace in Taraba. We will stop at nothing to ensure that. 
  
 “We will provide more combat enablers for 6 brigades and garrisons. We will also ensure the quick takeoff of the 114 battalion to have more booths on the ground to complement the non-kinetic approach of the governor.”