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Nigerian
Army on Friday, gave a detailed update on its Operation Python Dance II
in the Southeast, war against criminals and onslaught against the
Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader Nnamdi Kanu.
Below is a statement released on Friday by Colonel Sagir Musa,
Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.
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“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
organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corp, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road
Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian
Immigration Service 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 18 th September 2017 at the Adult
Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki
Local Government Area (LGA ) of Ebonyi State.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, accompanied
by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the
General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General
Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training and Operations Army
Headquarters, Major General 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 as follows:
PATROLS
Following credible intelligence report and some distress calls from
Ukpata community in Uzo-Wani LGA of Enugu State of a planned attack on
the community by Fulani herdsmen on the 19th September 2017, a patrol
team of Sector 3 was deployed in the area from 17th September 2017 to
date. Through that we were able to prevent serious clash between the
Fulani herdsmen and the community.
Similarly, at about 4.30pm on 17th September 2017, troops of Sector
2 on patrol at Ohaji-Egbema general area, along Obokofia-Agwa,
Rombe-Oguta road junction in Imo State, intercepted 2 persons in a
vehicle conveying about 15kg of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspects and the substance have been handed over to the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Also troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector 1, at about 12.00am 19th
September 2017, while on patrol along Onitsha-Owerri road arrested 3
suspected hoodlums; Chisom Francis, Chukwu Enema and Uchenna Ogataku
that barricaded the highway, extorting money and other valuables from
hapless motorists resulting in serious traffic jam. The suspects have
been handed over to Ogbaku Police Station.
RAIDS
Following a tip off, a criminal hideout was raided at about 12.15am
in Obinze community general area on 17th September 2017. Consequently,
17 suspected criminals were apprehended by troops of Sector 4. Items
recovered include 3 x locally made pistols, 5 Dane guns and 15 rounds of
various calibers of ammunition. Other items recovered were local charms
and 7 wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
Furthermore, at about 1.30am on 17th September 2017, troops of
Sector 4 in conjunction with the Nigeria Police raided a criminal den at
Ukukwa North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where they
arrested 7 suspected criminals. Items recovered are; 4 x locally made
pistols, 420 live cartridges, about 50kg of Cannabis and some Charms.
The suspects and the items were handed over to the Nigeria Police.
Similarly, based on intelligence, troops of Sector 2, at about
12.00am hours on 18th September 2017, conducted 2 raid operations on
suspected cultists’ shrines at Awara and Assa communities of
Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State. The raids resulted in the arrest of 10
suspected cult members. They were however, transferred to the Nigeria
Police after preliminary investigation.
In addition, at about 2.30am on 19th September 2017, troops of
Sector 1, raided a notorious kidnappers’ den at Ohanze community in
Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. The operation led to the
release of a kidnap victim, Mr. Monday Benson and the arrest of 3
suspected kidnappers; Arinze Ugiri aged 39 years, from Amouvuro
community, Okezie Nwobolo, aged 30 years, from Amouvuro Nteuzor
community and Michael Sunday 24 years old, from Okeyan Nteuzor village
of Abia State. Suspects have also been handed over to the Nigeria Police
after initial questioning.
CHECKMATING VIOLENT ACTIVITIES OF THE BANNED INDIGENIOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA
Despite the initial opposition to Exercise EGWU EKE II by the
outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra members and their sympathizers and
unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South East especially Aba
in Abia State is now fully stabilized. 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.
The 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the public that it
is poised to maintaining the peace and security in the entire
South-Eastern Region. Members of the public are please requested to
cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and passing
credible information to the nearest security check point or call 193 and
the various Sector Commanders’ telephone numbers that were earlier made
public.”
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