By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
As the 2019 general elections approach, the Nigerian Army on Friday flagged off a military exercise, Egwu Eke III, to checkmate cases of lawlessness and insecurity across the country.
Speaking during the flag off of the exercise in Maiduguri, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who was represented by Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief, Army Training and Operations, said the operation would cover the entire country.
He explained that: “Egwu Eke”, which is an Igbo phrase meaning “Python Dance”, was first introduced in the South East with Egwu Eke I and II exercises executed successfully in year 2016 and 2017 respectively.
He said: “It yielded positive results in checkmating the security challenges being witnessed in the South East region then.”
Buratai said: “Exercise EGWU EKE III is significant because for the first time it will be conducted simultaneously across the country. It is also a reassurance of the resolve of the Nigerian Army and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as other security agencies to ensure that law and order is maintained as we approach the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.”
He assured that: “The Nigerian Army will continue to conduct Internal Security operations in combating criminality and other security challenges in the country, in line with its constitutional mandate of Military Aid to Civil Authority.”
He however lamented that: “As the build up to the 2019 General Elections gathers momentum, an upsurge of security challenges such as stockpiling of arms by criminal groups, formation of ethnic militias and violence induced by political activities has been observed.”
He noted that: “These challenges coupled with other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and banditry portend that dissident groups and criminal elements could cash in on the situation to perpetrate large scale violence before, during and after the 2019 General Elections.”
He said drawing from his vision: “To have a Professionally Responsive NA in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles”, the NA troops need to be prepared and equipped with requisite skills in order to professionally and effectively respond to these challenges and security threats in collaboration with Nigerian Police and other para-military organisation.”
He asked that all Nigerians should contribute to the security of the nation. He said: “Let me use this opportunity to call on the good people of our great nation Nigeria to provide our men and women in uniform adequate support especially timely information to enable them deliver on the mandate of Exercise EGWU EKE III.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
He said with the flag off Egwu Eke III, the Army will start the exercise from the six geopolitical zones of the country from 1 Jan to 28 Feb 19.
The Army Chief also used the opportunity to revealed that the latest Boko Haram attack on Baga has be checkmated and normalcy returned to the area.
He insisted that the area not at anytime held by the terrorist group as the military was able to ward off the threat from them.