Assures countering drone attacks by terrorists
The Nigerian Army has refuted allegations that its commanders held a meeting recently to coordinate attacks on residents of the South-East region on May 30.
It also stated that the Joint Task Force South East Operation Udo Ka remains committed to its constitutional responsibility of protecting law-abiding citizens and maintaining peace in the region.
The denial followed a recent broadcast and publication by Mazi Chinasa Nworu on Radio Biafra and some social media platforms, where he made several scratching remarks against the integrity and operational successes of the task force.
Nworu said that the task force had planned to attack residents of the region on May 30, a day declared a sit-at-home in remembrance of agitators of Biafra.
But a statement by the Spokesperson of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, stated that the narrative is not just a fabrication but a deliberate psychological approach aimed at spreading fear, sowing mistrust, and isolating communities.
Meanwhile, the military has said that it is adequately prepared to counter drone attacks by any terrorist groups whenever they acquire cutting-edge weapons, such as drone technology.
The Air Component Commander of Operation Udo Ka, Air Commodore Dooyum Laha, said this while briefing Defence Correspondents during a bi-yearly media tour of the Joint Task Force in Enugu.
Laha, represented by Operation Officer, Squadron Leader Larry Azih, said the challenges affecting their operations in the South-East include poor weather conditions, congested terrain, as well as the limited availability of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms.
He, however, noted that the military is leveraging technology to overcome challenges.