Nnamdi Kanu
The Nigerian Army said on Friday revealed that it has successfully
curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in
the South East, while clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the region
had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.
However, the army was silent on the whereabouts of IPOB leader,
Nnamdi Kanu, who was said to be on the run after troops laid siege on
his compound in Aba, Abia state.
According to The Nation, providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke
II (Python Dance II) the army said activities of kidnappers and other
criminals have also been checkmated while several people have been
arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations,
Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa, reassured the public that the army was
ready to maintain peace and order 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-East 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
organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS),
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drugs Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are all
synergizing 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.
“The first was on Tuesday, 18th September 2017 at the Adult
Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki
Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
Gen. T.Y. Buratai, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State,
Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division
Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training
and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major Gen. David Ahmadu and other
senior Army Officers, were personally present at the commencement of the
free medical outreach.
“The turnout was impressive, as over 2,000 people benefited in
the areas of dental, optometry, laboratory services and blood pressure
measurements. Others were dispensing of eye glasses, de-worming tablets,
assorted drugs, mosquito nets and sanitizer to various categories of
people. In the same vein, similar medical outreach will be conducted at
Nnarambia community Central Primary School, Ahiara Mbaise in Ahiazu
Mbaise LGA of Imo State on 23rd September 2017 as part of the activities
of Exercise EGWU EKE II.
“The Division has also scheduled similar free medical
outreaches in other states covering its area of responsibility during
the exercise. Furthermore, in addition to visiting the Operational
Headquarters of Sector 5 of Exercise EGWU EKE II, at 24 Support
Engineering Regiment, Abakaliki, the Chief of Army Staff also visited
the Step-Up Headquarters of 82 Division at the Nigerian Army Language
Institute, Ovim, in Isiuokwuato LGA of Abia State.
“So far, the troops have been carrying out routine activities
associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other supporting
Services and agencies. Some suspected criminals were arrested,
farmers-herdsmen as well as communal clashes have been averted.
Similarly, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal
elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids and
manning of checkpoints.”
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