“Return Home, We Will Provide A Secured Environment For Xmas” – Military Assures South Easterners

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Residents of the South East zone of the country have been assured of the provision of adequate security of lives and properties, as well as a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of their business activities.

On a working visit to Enugu  and other parts of the security- challenged Region, Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, informed that the Federal Government has put every machinery in place to enhance security in the Region.

A statement on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from the Ministry’s  spokesperson Henshaw Ogubike, said the Minister gave the assurance while addressing Officers and men of the 82 Division and Joint Taskforce  South East Operation code named “Operation Udoka in Enugu”.

The Defence Minister emphasized the imperativeness of a secured environment for the thriving of business activities.

He called on the troops to re-double their efforts towards stamping out all forms of criminal and terrorist activities in the region, and noted that a secured environment is a necessary prerequisite for  business growth and prosperity.

Badaru,stated that peace and development will definitely take a flight from an unsecured atmosphere, adding that the Federal Government is more than committed to halting all forms of insecurity in every part of Nigeria.

“There is a renewed determination to intensify our efforts against all forms of insecurity under President Tinubu’s leadership”, he said.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Hassan Dada, a Major General, announced the readiness of troops in the region to provide an enabling environment for a hitch free Christmas festivities in the region.

According to him, the Army is presently executing some robust strategies aimed at shoring up security ,and ensuring adequate protection of lives and properties .

He noted that the primary target is to secure the environment, build people’s confidence with a view to encouraging holiday seekers to return home.

The Source reports that the Defence Minister’s visit coincides with the arrest and arraignment, in Finland, of one of the perceived drivers of insecurity in the South East, Simon Ekpa.

On same Thursday when Badaru commenced his two day working tour ,the Finnish police announced the arrest and arraignment of Ekpa and four other promoters of the murderous faction of the IPOB on charges bordering on terrorism..

His Autopilots’ ruthlessness is believed to be at the root of the spate of violent attacks, destruction of properties  and killings that have been rocking the region for months on end.