Tension in the Southeast has greatly reduced since the arrest of Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa.
This was disclosed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to defend the 2025 budget on Tuesday.
Musa also disclosed that the sit-at-home is gradually fading away with Ekpa’s arrest, adding that Operation Udoka by the Defence Headquarters, is restoring peace in the Southeast.
According to Musa: “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also with Operation Udoka, we’re also doing that, picking up most of the leadership that are there, taking them out, and then making sure that the place is peaceful.
“The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We’re also working with the political leaders there because we understand, as I said always, that we need to have local support because without it, it’s difficult. You know, the terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”
The Army chief also stated that there was relative peace during the Christmas holiday period due to the proactive measures of security agents.
Musa maintained the the military is committed to non-kinetic measures of addressing the security problem.
“We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened and we intend to do that and continue to do more. What we try to encourage is jointness, and synergy in our operations,” he added.
