Army moves against insecurity with new outfit in South East

Take battle to criminals’ doorstep, CP charges operatives
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has stated that emerging security threats over the continued existence of the country are real, necessitating the operation, Golden Dawn, in the South East.

Speaking in Enugu, yesterday, while flagging off the joint military exercise for Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, he stressed that the army would do all in its power to preserve the country’s unity.

He vowed to restore security in the South East region, especially in Anambra, for the conduct of the November 6 governorship election.

While disclosing that Exercise Still Waters would be conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states, he added that parts of the North Central and the Federal capital territory (FCT) would have Exercise Enduring Peace.

The military operation, which began yesterday, according to the army boss, would run till December 23, to strengthen the cordial relationship between the army and the communities, as well as combat armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, banditry, and emerging threats by gunmen.

“Exercise Still Water is designed checkmate incidents of piracy, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, militancy among others in the South South and South West,” he added.

SIMILARLY, Anambra State Police Command has charged its operatives to take the battle to the doorsteps of the perpetrators of dastardly acts in the state and bring them to book.

The Commissioner of Police, Tony Olofu, gave the charge, yesterday, in Awka, when he led a team of senior police officers and tactical squads on a confidence-boosting patrol within the state.

Olofu, who condemned “the recurring developments of public disturbance and attacks on government facilities and private residences in the state,” charged the police personnel to be resolute in resisting and taking the battle to the doorsteps of the criminals.

He also visited the scenes of recent attacks in the state, including the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Nnewi and the residences of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe; and former Minister of National Planning, Sonny Okongwu.

In a release by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ikenga Tochukwu, in Awka, the CP reassured the people of the command’s avowed commitment to do everything within its powers to maintain public security and safety in the state.

He enjoined them to remain vigilant, law-abiding and assist the security community with timely and credible crime prevention information.