Insurgency: Oba of Benin Backs U.S. Military Assistance to Nigeria

By Imelda Osayande

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has expressed support for the U.S. troops fighting insurgency in Nigeria.

The Oba’s remark is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, and made available to newsmen in Benin, on Thursday.

According to Iguobaro, Oba Ewuare spoke when the new 4 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Benin, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, visited him in his palace in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was coming amidst the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Nigerian Governments towards exterminating insurgency in the country.

The Oba emphasised the need for international cooperation in permanently addressing the phenomenon, especially collaborating with global partners, such as the U.S.

The statement also quoted the Oba to have expressed concern over the war involving Iran, the US, Israel, and other nations of the world for power consolidation.

Ewuare, who served as Nigerian Ambassador to the Scandinavian nations and Italy before he ascended the throne, prayed to God and his ancestors to protect Nigeria and the U.S. security forces from harm.

Earlier, the 4 Brigade Commander said his visit was to notify the Oba about his deployment to the command and also solicit his prayers to enable him to achieve the mandate of the command.

In a similar vein, the Oba also received the Assistant Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Zone G, ACG Josephine Ogbefun, and her management team, who also solicited prayers and support from the palace.