Insecurity: Army holds Show of Force in Southeast states

Major streets of the six states under the 82 Division of Nigerian Army (NA) witnessed heavy movement of soldiers and personnel of other relevant sister security agencies including DSS, Air Force and Naval Personnel as they hold a Joint Show of Force (JSOF) operation.

infonet9ja.com gathered that the exercise was in line with the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s Vision, which is, – “To have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”.

Some of the states where the exercise were simultaneously conducted include Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

A release issued by the 82 Division Nigerian Army Public Relations Officer, Musa Sagir has it that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that security agencies in the South East Zone, jointly work as a team, to decisively and professionally deal with the complex security situations as they unfold.

According to Sagir, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Maj Gen Emmanuel Kabuk in his remarks before the commencement of the exercise in Enugu, Enugu State, stated that the JSOF is simultaneously been conducted in the entire 82 Division Area of Responsibility.

Sagir quoting Kabuk said “In the face of emerging security challenges and the impending general elections, the need to warn criminals, saboteurs and other trouble makers in our Area of Responsibility to stay clear becomes imperative”. Hence, it is necessary, we occasionally and jointly conduct this exercise.”

Kabuk further made it clear that the JSOF was not targeted at any individual or group, but is meant to send strong signal/warning that anyone who disturbs public peace will be professionally and decisively dealt with.

According to Sagir, while troops of 13 Brigade conducted the exercise in Calabar Municipality, 8th Mile, Tinapa axis and major streets of the city and adjoining communities, the 34 Brigade Owerri troops and other agencies moved within Owerri metropolis and Okigwe general areas. As their counterparts of 302 Artillery General Support Regiment Onitsha, troops in conjunction with other sister agencies moved around Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha axis. 

In Ebonyi State, troops of 24 Field Engineer Support Regiment marched across Ezzangbo, Ezillo, Ishielu, Ohoazara, Nkalagu and Onicha Communities of along Afikpo road and across major streets of Abakaliki township.

Our reporter who monitored the exercise in Abia State has it that personnel of Goodluck Jonathan’s Barracks,14 Brigade Army Headquarters, in conjunction with other security agencies such as Road Safety, Civil Defence, Mobile Police Force moved round the state, touching designated places in Aba including Ariaria Market, Aloji Spare Parts Market, Azikiwe Road, Aba-Owerri Road.

Other areas covered during the exercise in Abia includes Umuahia city center, Ovim, Uturu, Afara Ukwu (Home of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu), Arochukwu, Akanu Bende, Amepkwu and Ohafia General Area of Responsibility.

Our reporter gathered that the movement by the joint security operatives caused pandemonium in Aba and Umuahia respectively as many feared that it was a signal that the much awaited Egwueke (Python Dance) III has just commenced.

But a source at the 14Brigade who pleaded not to be mentioned debunked the insinuations, stating that the public shall be notified when Egwueke III will commence.

The source added that the exercise was preemptive measures by the security agencies to ensure that Abia was safe for people to live and do their businesses and warned any person or group of persons that wish to foment trouble in the state to have a rethink or be ready to face the consequences of their actions as the security agencies would not fold their arms to see some disgruntled elements disrupt the minimal peace achieved in the state by security agencies.