The Nigerian military says the gunmen terrorising residents of the South-east cover beneath the cloak of Biafra agitation to commit crimes within the area.
The brand new Basic Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Military, Enugu, Umar Musa, acknowledged this on Friday when he visited Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State on the Authorities Home, Awka.
This was contained in an announcement by the governor’s spokesperson, Christian Aburime.
Mr Musa, a major-general, took over from Taoreed Lagbaja, additionally a major-general, who’s now the GOC, 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna.
The brand new 82 Division GOC whose division superintends over Mr Soludo’s Anambra, visited to tell the governor of his assumption of obligation.
Mr Musa, just lately, has additionally visited Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Hope Uzodinma of Abia and Imo States respectively.
The GOC will work with the state governors within the South-east which is beneath the division on safety. This explains his current visits to the governors within the area.
He counseled Mr Soludo for his help to the safety companies of their battle in opposition to gunmen working within the state.
The GOC mentioned the military was conscious of the safety state of affairs within the South-east and promised to companion with the governor and different governors within the area to struggle the state of affairs.
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“We found that Anambra and Imo (States) are unstable and that offers us critical concern. The difficulty of (Biafra) agitation is there, however folks capitalise on it to commit crime,” Mr Musa mentioned.
Mr Musa mentioned he has devoted two months of his keep within the division learning the insecurity within the South-east to trend out methods of tackling it.
“Instances of assaults pose new challenges. I guarantee you of the whole dedication of the Nigerian military,” he added.
The GOC mentioned drug abuse was a serious contributor to the incidence of crime within the nation.
“Pay particular consideration on Anambra-Imo Boundary”
Mr Soludo, whereas welcoming the brand new GOC, expressed happiness over his go to to the state.
He additionally congratulated him on his new project within the area.
The governor informed the brand new GOC to pay particular consideration to the Anambra-Imo Boundary, stating that the gunmen largely assault from communities the place the state shares boundaries with the opposite South-east states.
“If you happen to cordon off the boundaries between Anambra and Imo in a joint operation, you squeeze and take them (gunmen) out,” Mr Soludo mentioned.
The governor reiterated that these behind the insecurity within the South-east are criminals, insisting that the attackers don’t have any nothing to do with Biafra agitation.
“Anyone in any camp in Anambra State is a felony. We take into account the particular person as a kidnapper and we deal with the particular person as such. There isn’t any method mild and darkness can co-exist. With out legislation and order, nothing else will work,” he mentioned.
Mr Soludo used the chance to commiserate with the brand new GOC over the killing of troopers on Wednesday by gunmen within the state and expressed his readiness to companion with the military in tackling insecurity within the state and area.
The Chief of Workers to the governor, Ernest Ezeajughi and Particular Adviser to Mr Soludo on safety, Ben Chiobi, had been amongst these current on the occasion.
Background
Like different states within the South-east, safety has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent assaults by armed individuals throughout the state.
The assault on the troopers occurred lower than three weeks after gunmen ambushed a Nigerian senator’s convoy, killing about 5 individuals together with two cops.
The senator’s convoy was attacked in Enugwu-Ukwu, a group within the Njikoka Native Authorities Space of the state.
A serving lawmaker was additionally murdered by gunmen within the state.
The assaults, largely focused at safety officers and authorities amenities, have been attributed to the outlawed Indigenous Folks of Biafra which is agitating for a sovereign state for the Igbo-speaking folks within the South-east.
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