Lieutenant-General-Tukur-Yusuf-Buratai
Internal Security: Civil-Military
Lieutenant-General-Tukur-Yusuf-Buratai
Internal Security: Civil-Military Relations Sustain in
South-East
In continuation with Ex EGWU-EKE 111 in the South East
geo-political zone, in the areas of patrols, snap checkpoints,
rescue missions, cordon and search operations, retraining of troops
on contemporary challenges of internal security and coordinated
inter agency collaboration with other security agencies among
others, the following are some occurrences or gains of the exercise
during the period under review – between 13 – 20 January, 2019;
*VIOLENT* *COMMUNAL* *CONFLICTS* *AVERTED IN ABIA AND* *ANAMBRA*
*STATES*
Following the attack of Nkwembi community by some misguided
youths from Okagwe community of Ohafia Local Government Area (LGA)
of Abia State on the 9th of January, 2019, which led to the death
of one person, two persons reportedly missing, two houses and six
vehicles were burnt. This caused Nkwembi youths to reorganize for a
counter attack which troops of Sector 2 in 14 Brigade Area of
Responsibility (AOR) assisted Ohafia Divisional Police Headquarters
to contain the situation. Normalcy has since been restored between
the warring communities. Pictures of some damaged vehicles and
burnt houses are forwarded herewith.
Similarly, troops of Sector 5 in 302 Artillery General Support
Regiment AOR prevented violent clash over possession/ownership of
farm land between Nzam and Umenwelum communities in Anambra West
LGA of Anambra State. The incident led to the destruction of farms
across the communities, – the situation was salvaged by the
deployment of joint patrol teams to the conflicting communities. No
life has been lost, government officials and other stakeholders are
in control of the situation at the moment. Relevant photographs of
damages to farms are attached herewith.
*RECOVERY* *OF ARMS* *AND* *AMMUNITION* *ON A* *STOLEN*
*TRICYCLE*
Based on credible information, troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector 3
in 144 Battalion location along Osisioma, Aba general area of Abia
State, monitored/pursued 3 x suspected armed robbers. The robbers
abondoned 2 locally made double barel gun wrapped on a tricycle and
dashed to the surrounding bushes on sighting a patrol van. The
tricycle and the arms will be handed over to the Abia State police
command for further action. Photographs of the recovered guns are
also forwarded herewith.
*RAID ON* *SUSPECTED* *DRUG* *HIDEOUT AND ARREST OF INDIAN HEMP*
*DEALERS*
Following a tip off, troops of Sector 2 in 14 Brigade AOR, in
conjunction with some personnel of National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency(NDLEA) conducted a raid on confirmed hideout of Indian hemp
dealers in Atani and Ibom localities in Arochukwu LGA of Abia
State. Consequently, five suspects were arrested, 25 percel of
cannabis, 17 wrapps of Indian hemp were recovered and are in
custody of the NDLEA for further action. Pictures of the suspects
and substance recovered are forwarded herewith.
*APPREHENSION* *OVER* *INSECURITY* *AND* *POLITICAL* *CRISIS*
*CHECKMATED*
Based on credible intelligence of likely impending politically
motivated violence in the build up to elections/electioneering
campaigns by contending parties/actors, troops of Sector 4, in 24
Support Engineer Regiment AOR, – Ebonyi State, have jointly been
conducting robust patrols in major identified flashpoints across
the State.
Consequently, there is an increased presence of security
agencies on patrols and snap checkpoints in some areas such as
Afikpo, Ekpoamaka, Alike Achara and Nwankpa communities in Afikpo
and Ikwo LGAs of the State.
Similarly, key areas like Ikwo junction, Enugu road, presco
roundabout and vanco water works witnessed an increased presence of
security personnel. These efforts are aimed to provide a conducive
environment for socio-economic and political activities by
proactively checkmating anticipated crisis before, during and after
the 2019 general elections in line with the directive of the Chief
of Army Staff.
*CRIMINALS* *DENIED* *FREEDOM OF ACTION SO FAR*
One major gains of Exercise EGWU-EKE 111, just like others
before it, – is in the maintenance of peace and security in the
entire South East geo-political zone. Due to sustained mobile
patrols, targeted raids, stop and search operations as well as
aggresive intelligence drive across the zone, miscreants/hoodlums
and criminals were denied freedom of action. So far, criminal
activities such as movement of arms and ammunition, armed robbery,
farmers-herders clashes, kidnappings, cultism, political
brigandage/gangsterism, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline
vandalism among others have so far been checkmated. There has not
been reported case of political violence or crisis in the region
which is to the credit of the political leaders and security
agencies.
*OPERATIONAL* *VISIT BY* *FORMATION* *COMMANDERS*
In line with the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur
Yusuf Buratai’s policy directive for formation commanders to visit
operational arenas, a team from Training and Doctrine Command was
on operational/assessment visit to Exercise EGWU-EKE 111 Step Up
Headquarters in Abakaliki and has so far visited all the sector
headquarters in the five states of the South East Zone. The team
was led by Brigadier General GU Chibuisi. He expressed satisfaction
with the level of troops’ compliance to basic standards, rules of
engagement, commitment to duty and general deportment so far. More
commanders are expected in the coming days. Some pictures of the
visit are attached herewith.
*TROOPS RETRAINING* *ON* *INTERNAL* *SECURITY* *DUTIES IS*
*BEING* *ENHANCED*
There is no doubt that troops participating on this exercise are
deliberately being exposed to contemporary security challenges
facing our country and how to respond to real time situations.
So,retraining of Nigerian Army personnel to face current and
emerging security threats is one of the key aspects of Exercise
EGEU-EKE 111 which is obviously being achieved.
*CIVIL- MILITARY* *RELATIONS* / *COOPERATION*
To ensure mutual understanding, synergy and collaboration with
the leaders of the zone for the benefit of the people, the General
Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army Major General Abubakar
Sadiq Maikobi has visited all the governors of the South East Zone.
He formally, at different times, individually, effectively briefed
them about the Exercise and solicited for their cooperation. This
action, assisted in the successes achieved so far. Currently, there
is no reported case of Civil-Military conflict in the whole of the
South Eastern part of Nigeria. The level of cooperation and
understanding as well as information of intelligence value being
received from host communities in the zone is unprecedented.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division