The army yesterday told agitators in the Southeast to keep the peace.
It vowed to deal with any act capable of breaching the peace of the region.
It mentioned no one or group by name,
but the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the
Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
have been holding rallies to demand a Republic of Biafra.
The IPOB has also threatened to stop the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State from taking place.
But the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.
Tukur Buratai, speaking yesterday on the forthcoming second phase of
Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) in the geo-political zone, said
on no account would kidnapping, cultism, violent agitations, theft of
weapons, armed banditry and other security challenges which have become a
daily phenomenon in the area be condoned henceforth.
The military operation is scheduled to
commence on September 15, according to Buratai who spoke through the
Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major
General David Ahmadu.
It will run for a month and involve
raids, cordon and search, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check
points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as
medical outreach.
Buratai said Exercise EGWU EKE II has
become expedient in view of ”the mindless assassinations (even in
religious places), attack on security personnel, theft of weapons, armed
banditry, kidnapping, cultism and violent agitations, as well as other
security challenges that have recently become prevalent in the South
Eastern part of the country.”
He added: “The need for troops to be
exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these
emerging security challenges within the 82 Division Area of
Responsibility in aid of civil authority calls for this exercise.
“Also, in actualizing the COAS vision,
which is “To have a Professionally Responsive NA in the Discharge of its
Constitutional Roles”, accentuates the call for the conduct of this
exercise in conjunction with other security agencies.
“This operation will be conducted with
the involvement of other security agencies such as Department of State
Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps. “It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively
checkmate the despicable activities of the marauding criminals
perpetrating criminal acts in the region and its environs.
“Additionally, OPERATION EGWU EKE II is
also conceptualized to transit into real time operations thereby
fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening
operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to
conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called
upon. As precursor to a peaceful ember period and yuletide, provision
has already been made for the smooth conduct of the operation.
“Operation EGWU EKE II will be unique
with the establishment of Brigade Headquarters in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi,
Enugu and Imo States. Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and
search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and
show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical
outreach.
“It is pertinent to mention that
Operation EGWU EKE II is set to be another epoch making exercise that
would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at
sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial
integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil
authority to bring about peace and security in the south eastern part of
our dear country.
“In this regard, members of the public
especially the residents of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States
are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being is guaranteed
at all times. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be
security conscious, as suspected criminals may be fleeing from military
operations in these areas and finding safe haven amidst our
communities.”
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