The Nigeria military on Monday, 4th October 2021 said it has begun an operation in the South-East as part of efforts to address incessant killings and rising insecurity in the region, Punch reports.
This was disclosed at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital as soldiers and policemen paraded the streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, in a show of force on Monday.
There has been worsening insecurity in the South-East since the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested in June.
Last week, nine persons including Dr Chike Akunyili, the widower of the late Minister of Information, Prof Dora Akunyili, were killed by gunmen at Nkpor in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Yesterday, Monday 4th October violence continued in Enugu where hoodlums attacked and set ablaze a tricycle for allegedly disobeying the sit-at-home order despite its suspension.
It was gathered that hoodlums operating in a Hilux van moved round some parts of Enugu to enforce the sit-at-home order
In Owerri, the Imo State capital, residents were forced to stay in their homes as some miscreants continued to create fears by attacking those who disobeyed the sit-at-home order.
The state Commissioner for Information and strategy, Declan Emelumba, however, revealed that the security operatives were on Operation Show of Force in the state capital.
The 302 Artillery Regiment General Support, on Monday, launched ‘Exercise Golden Dawn’, to provide security in the state.
The exercise, according to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Col Abdulkarim Usman, will help to combat insecurity in the state and foster inter-agency cooperation.
Usman said the exercise would be routinely conducted in various states in the South-East geopolitical zone.
He added that the rise of insecurity across the country had made it imperative that the Nigerian military needed to come in to assist.
Usman said, ”The military will use the golden opportunity in conjunction with other security agencies to curb the existing security threats in Anambra State.
“The threats range from secessionist agitations, by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, the Indigenous People of Biafra, and Eastern Security Network.
“Others are banditry, kidnapping, cultist activities, land disputes clashes, communal clashes, chieftaincy issues, assassinations and youths restiveness. To curb these countless security challenges, a robust posture in what the unit has always maintained”
Meanwhile, stakeholders of the South-East region, including governors and some selected Igbo leaders would be meeting on Tuesday (today) in Enugu to discuss the crippling effects of the sit-at-home and the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.
In the circular for the meeting, which was was titled, ‘There will be a meeting of the leaders of the South-East Zone on Tuesday, October 5 in Enugu’, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, appealed to the governors to be physically present in the meeting and avoid sending representatives.
It was gathered that those invited for the meeting included President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East zone, Archbishop of Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church, South-East National Assembly Caucus, and Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, among others.