As South easterners are gearing up to the yearly military exercise, the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai on Thursday said the forthcoming Military Operation, Atilogwu Udo 1 is not targeted at any group or individual in the South East.
He made the clarification in Enugu at a two day Civil-Media-Military Relations Summit organized for the SouthEast zone.
The theme of the summit is ‘Galvanising citizens support for Military operations in Nigeria through the Media’.
Proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had recently claimed the exercise which replaced the Exercise Egwu Eke is targeted at its members.
Egwu Eke (Python Dance), which held for three editions, witnessed clashes between the Army and IPOB.
In the 2017 edition, the Military invaded the Umuahia hometown of the group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB claimed many persons were killed in that invasion, an allegation the military continues to deny.
Kanu and his parents disappeared after the attack and were not seen for years.
Kanu later surfaced in 2018 in Europe.
He recently announced the death of his mother in a Germany hospital, blaming her death on the injuries and trauma she received during the invasion.
The whereabouts of his father remain unknown to date.
Though Buratai did not mention any group’s name in giving the clarification, it is believed that the recent apprehension by some persons in the region on the exercise expected to commence on November 1 and IPOB’s accusations, may have prompted the clarification.
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The Chief of Staff, however, noted that the Atilogwu Udo 1 (Dance of Peace 1) will ensure that Ndigbo returns home and have a peaceful Yuletide Celebration.
He noted that similar exercises will take place simultaneously in other regions to checkmate peculiar security issues in each region.
Represented by the Chief of Training/Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General E. O. Udo, Buratai said the aim of the exercise is to consolidate on previous exercises carried out in the region.
“The exercise is strategically slated to be carried out during the yuletide season when there is an upsurge in criminal activities”, he said.
According to him, Ndigbo before the commencement of Exercise Egwu Eke a few years back dreaded coming home during the yuletide period because of rampant kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities in the region.
This reached an alarming height in 2015 and this informed the commencement of Egwu Eke 1.
“The exercise was very useful because it allowed Ndigbo to come home during the festive period. Atilogwu Udo 1 will consolidate on previous exercises and ensure peaceful and hitch-free yuletide celebration this year”, he said.
Aside from the security of lives, Buratai said the exercise will afford the military the opportunity to get close to the public through outreaches like health services, road construction, etc.
He expressed the hope that the media will continue to inform the public adequately about the military’s activities without prejudice and sensationalism.
Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi called on the media to be fair in reporting the activities of the military.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Simon Otuanya, the governor promised that his government will avail the military very necessary support it requires to ensure a successful exercise.
The Spokesman of the military, Musa Sagir, in a welcome address said the summit was to create a solid understanding of the operations of the Army.
He noted that the upcoming exercise Atilogwu Udo 1 will help to checkmate the peculiar security threats in the Southeast.
He listed some of the threats to include kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and inter-communal conflicts.
“The exercise has the best interest of the people in mind. It is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s desire to keep the public informed of Army’s activities and galvanize support of the Media and public”.
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