The Force Commander Operation Udoka, the Joint Task Force combating insecurity and the secessionist activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB and its militant wing, ESN, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada, has said that the military and other security agencies brought the sit-at-home order in the zone to an end by exposing the criminality of the group and convincing the people that the military is not their enemy.

The Force Commander, who also doubles as the GOC 82 division, made this known while briefing on the activities of the task force in Enugu.

He said, “The truth remains and has been laid bare that the IPOB/ESN sit at home is all about criminality. Look at the losses being incurred every Monday before we brought it to an end. Any average Igbo man wants to go to their shop and do business any day and any time.

“Painfully, the people that IPOB claims they are fighting for are the victims of their criminality. The people being killed, kidnapped, and used for rituals—some disappear only for their bodies to be found in shrines—are the same Easterners.

“So the fact remains that these are just criminals using secessionist agendas to deceive the people, even with the sit-at-home order. The people of the South-East have come to the realization that these elements are using the agenda as a smokescreen.

While noting that it took a lot of meticulous planning, consistency, and demonstration of willpower on the side of troops and other security agencies to tackle the IPOB menace and other security challenges, the FC said, “It is the right of everybody to protest, but you do not have the right to stop people from earning their legitimate livelihood.

On how the task force was able to buy into the hearts and minds of the people and convince them that the military is not their enemy, Gen Dada said several non-kinetic exercises were carried out in all the sectors of Operation Udoka, covering all the Southeast states.

“Winning the hearts and minds of the people helped to enhance intelligence. Gathering. This was done through several medical outreaches to communities, even up to some rural villages without medical facilities.

“Humanitarian support and donation of relief items to widows, the elderly, and children’s homes; educational support through provision of books and writing materials; desks and chairs; and random clearing of blocked drainage, among other sanitation exercises conducted by troops, have helped to bolster belief and cooperation.

Gen Dada, however, vowed, “We will leave no stone unturned to make sure that we restore the glory of the South East.

Commenting on the peaceful coexistence of all in the Southeast and the fact that past complaints of security agencies providing cover for some groups who perpetrate crime and not being neutral, the Force Commander said, “The military teaches us to be neutral in all our endeavors. My coming here is to confront insecurity and restore normalcy for social and economic development to thrive.

“I don’t want to know whether you are Ibo, Yoruba, or Hausa of Edo. If you commit a crime and go against law and order, it doesn’t matter where you come from; you will face the consequences. There are laws, and there is a rule of engagement to deal with every crime.

The Force Commander, however, urged the media to be wary of the propaganda of the criminals, saying, “Look critically at cases of propaganda being churned out by their sympathizers and patrons. Their children are going to the best schools abroad, while the schools here are being destroyed by misguided elements, and the youths are being deceived into criminality.

While commending the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for the strategic guidance and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, for the operational, logistics, and other support, the Force said that though it is not yet Uhuru as challenges still exist, the task force is not resting on its oars.

Consequently, he said, “In the first quarter, between December 2023 and April 2024, troops of Operation Udoka conducted 183 clearance operations in all sectors.

“Troops arrested and neutralized 35 terrorists, arrested 258 suspects during anti-bunkering operations, and rescued 117 kidnapped victims during anti-kidnapping operations.

“Troops arrested 137 criminal elements, troops identified and destroyed 16 IPOB camps, destroyed 50 hideouts at Command and Control Centre, Mother Valley, and neutralized 15 high-profile fighters.

“Troops recovered 52 explosives and other bombs, 153 assorted weapons, and 6,038 ammunitions. (Vanguard)

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