The Nigerian Army high command has said it would dominate all the hot spots in South East during the yuletide to ensure travelers are not attacked while celebrating the Christmas.
Giving the assurances in a briefing, army spokesman, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu, noted that the military would ensure there is no space for hoodlums to operate in all the geo-political zones, especially the South East.
South Easterners travel enmasse during the yuletide to their carious villages.
“There is a taskforce and that taskforce have the army, the navy, the airforce and other security agencies. We are giving travelers the assurance that we will dominate all hotspots in the SouthEast. We assure them of the presence of the armed forces and other security agencies. We are assuring those coming back home of our presence. Security has been better that what it used to be in the South East.” Nwachukwu said.
Speaking on ongoing Nigerian army Exercises Still Waters, Enduring Peace and Golden Dawn, Nwachukwu said on October 9, 2023, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja flagged off Exercises STILL WATERS, ENDURING PEACE and GOLDEN DAWN in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones respectively.
“On the whole, these Exercises cover 20 states and the FCT. Furthermore, these Exercises are traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes, as the yuletide approaches. As it stands today, troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the forms of raids on criminal hideouts and patrols amongst others. So far, all the exercises have recorded significant successes.
“On October 29, 2023, troops of Guards Brigade with other security agencies conducted a raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory. During the conduct of the operation, troops arrested 3 suspects and recovered One Motorcycle, 12 bundles of stolen cable wires, 30 cards of illicit drugs and wraps of substances suspected to be carnabis.”
Speaking on EXERCISE STILL WATERS III in the South West, he said: “In the South West region, on 2 November 2023, troops of 9 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, conducted a raid operation on a suspected criminal hideout at Ifako Ijaye.
“During the operation, 50 suspects including foreigners who specialize in international job racketeering were arrested. In a similar development same day, same troops arrested 2 suspects at a hotel in Ogba in Ikeja LGA. The arrest was in connection to the murder of one Mallam Idris Ardo, the Ardo of Panya Village in Plateau State.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the arrested suspects masterminded the killing of the Ardo and fled the community since the incident occurred.” He said.
Speaking on EXERCISE GOLDEN DAWN III in the South East, General Nwachukwu said: “On October 30, 2023, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies carried out a fighting patrol to suspected IPOB/ESN enclaves around Onicha Igbeeze at Abakaliki LGA of Ebonyi State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected criminals as well as recovered 2 Pistol Guns, 179 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunitions, 25 live cartridges, 3 AK 47 Rifle Magazine, one Dane Gun and one digital camera. Other items include a detonating cord, 57 water gel explosives and one bag of plastic explosive.
“On November 4, 2023, troops of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army conducted an Ambush operation along road Ubahu – Aku in Ummunneochi LGA of Abia State. During the operation, troops neutralized one IPOB/ESN dissident and recovered one Pump Action Gun with 3 live cartridges amongst other items.
“On 10 November 2023, troops of 144 Battalion carried out a raid operation following credible intelligence on child trafficking at Ariaria Market in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State. Six suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
“On November 16, 2023, troops of 302 Artillery Regiment while on night patrol along road Azia – Mbosi in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State had contact with suspected members of IPOB/ESN criminals. Following the fire fight troops neutralized two of the criminals and recovered one Double Barrel Gun. Other items recovered include one motorcycle and two mobile phones.
“Same November 16, 2023, troops of 24 Support Engineers Regiment while responding to distress call on the activities of Iyonu Militia Criminals at Iyonu community in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State arrested 4 suspected members of the militia and recovered one locally made pistol and 6 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Apprehended suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.
“On November 26, 2023, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with other security agencies conducted fighting patrol to notorious IPOB/ESN criminals’ camps at UMAWIBI, UMULOLO, UMUKELE, AMANU and AGBUBO axis in OKIGWE LGA.
“Troops made contact with IPOB/ESN criminals’ around the general area and neutralized one of the criminals while others fled. Troops also cleared several IPOB/ESN camps and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factories where fresh signs of IPOB/ESN criminals’ activities were evident and production of IEDs were ongoing. All the camps, hideouts and IED factories, were destroyed.
“The COAS commends troops for the modest successes recorded so far and urges them to sustain the tempo in order to decisively curtail the activities of criminals across the country. Troops are also encouraged to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost respect for Human Right of citizens in their respective Areas of Responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Army urges law abiding citizens to take ownership of the ongoing Exercises and volunteer useful actionable information to security Agencies.”