The Nigerian Army yesterday said it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in the South East while clashes between farmers and herdsmen within the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.
Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army further said the activities of kidnappers and other criminals had been checkmated in the region while scores of people had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.
The army was however silent on the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who was alleged to be on the run after a siege laid on his compound in Aba, Abia State.
A statement signed by Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, however reassured the public that the army was poised to maintain peace and orderliness in the entire South East.
The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River states without hitch.
“The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-Eastern Region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers-herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.
“One interesting aspect of the exercise is that it is multi-agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organisations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Immigration Service are all synergising and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives.
“Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services.”
He said that despite the initial opposition to Exercise EGWU EKE II by the outlawed IPOB members and their sympathisers, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilised.
He said: “The usual violent activities of the outlawed IPOB members and their symphatisers and unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State, is now fully stabilised.
“The usual violent activities of the outlawed Biafra National Guards (manning check points and extorting money from traders and motorists) have now been checkmated.
“Similarly the outlawed Biafra terrorists’ group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance.”
Source: The Nation.
