Nigerian Army kicks off Execise EGWU EKE II despite mounting tension in South East

The Nigerian Army authority has said there is no going back on his planned Exercise Egwu Eke 2 in the South East.

It further explained that rumours of the planned withdrawal of soldiers which would bring about termination of the exercise was not true.

The Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brig Gen Sani Kukasheka Usman in a statement has called on all and sundry to disregard the statement credited to Abia State Governor Ikpeazu and the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army.

Gen Usman said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from Exercise EGWU EKE II, crediting such information to Abia State Governor and the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army.

“This is not true. The Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregards such rumours.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia State Governor in his speech stated that “there will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and Umuahia from tomorrow”.

“This should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise EGWU EKE II. The General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not said such thing.

“Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow (today, Friday) as scheduled. Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to commence the Exercise to its logical completion.

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“We wish to state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into the various states security outfits till the end of this year.

“Members of the public especially in the areas where the exercise will take place are please enjoined to go about their lawful businesses. We wish to also state that we would not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the conduct of the field training exercise through unlawful or criminal activities.

“Hoodlums and criminal elements are once again warned to be law abiding and not cause any breach of peace. We hereby reiterate that our troops would conduct themselves in the best professional manner, abide by the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct in line with requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Any act of indiscipline by any of our personnel would be decisively dealt with. While we enjoin all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, the Nigerian Army urge all to support the troops as they carry out their constitutional duties and make Exercise EGWU EKE II a success,” Gen Sani Usman explained.

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National Daily recalls that there have been mounting tension and escalation of hostilities following the clash during the week between the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and personnel of the Nigerian Army.

IPOB has blamed the army for instigating the crises as they were said to have attacked the house of their supreme leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

However, the army authority claimed that their personnel were carrying out their professional and lawful duties when IPOB members threw stones and pebbles at them leading to the severe injury of one of the soldiers.