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The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has launched a Special Operation in the South East geopolitical zone of the country to curtail the rising insecurity in the region.
The security operation codenamed ” “Operation Restore Peace” came barely a week after President Mohammadu Buhari approved new security measures in the South East and South regions of the country.
At the launch of the new security operation at Okpara Square in Enugu on Tuesday, the IGP Alkali Baba condemned unprecedented security breaches, including killings security personnel , attacks on police stations as well as checkpoints and other public infrastructure in the region.
He charged police personnel to defend themselves and not allow themselves be killed by hoodlums masquerading as IPOB and ESN.
READ FULL SPEECH:
It is in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our policing mandate that I address you on this occasion, marking the flag off of a special operation action plan which is codenamed “Operation Restore Peace”, for the stabilisation of the security order in the South-East geopolitical zone of our dear country. The people of South Eastern Nigeria are historically known to be peaceful, tolerant, innovative, industrious and entrepreneurs. They are highly respected citizens that have made their marks in the field of academics, scientific inventions and commerce. They are a unique ethnic group that are freely and peacefully live with others across the country and within the South East. Unfortunately, the events of late have altered these positive narrative. The zone in recent years has been witnessing increase in cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and communal violence. This trend has of late “relates” with inter-ethnic intolerance, and the separatists agitation, as championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its armed wing, the EASTERN SECURITY NETWORK. The separatist agenda of this group has assumed an armed dimension, in which important political and community leaders, as well as personnel and assets of the Nigerian police, the military and other security agencies are being constantly target in clearly well coordinated , premeditated violent attacks in the region. Aside this, the deepening inter-ethnic prejudice and intolerance in the region is also occasioning unjustifiable inter-ethnic violence, and counter-violence. Apart from the massive loss of property, and fatalities to life, the violent campaign are beginning to have damaging effect on the socio-economic development of this region. This trend is being compounded by the illegal proliferation of fire arms, as well as the deployment of the social media by the leadership of IPOB to indoctrinate, misinformed ,and mis-direct South Easterners toward the path of violence separatism. This evolving trend constitutes a major threat to our national, internal security and national unity, and hence requires urgent sense of all inclusive action in order to roll back a disastrous cause. Violent agitation and associated crimes, particularly those that endanger the lives, property and livelihood of civil populace and threaten our national unity, peace and security in the form of being currently noticed, do not, and can never represent our traditional values as a people. Unfortunately, the current arm campaign by the indigenous people of Biafra, and is the EASTERN SECURITY NETWORK is constituting a major threat not only to these fellows but to our national security and peaceful existence as a nation. Indeed, the resort to terror tactics, disregard to constitutional processes, and disrespect for democratic standards to advance their interest in creating an ungovernable space in the region, informed the decision of the federal government to outlaw IPOB. In spite of this, and despite the concerted efforts of state governors revered traditional rulers, religious bodies, and well-meaning personalities in this zone, the group continue to widen their armed insurrection and destabilizing campaign with fatal consequences. This, they are doing without regard to the fact that no nation develops to its optimal potentials in an environment where constitutional governance and national harmony are threatened by violent insurrection as being championed by IPOB. The key factor in addressing the prevailing security threats in the south east, is that we should not as a people, be determined to build a consensus partner, in condemning any act of criminality, and resolve to work with the police and other security agents towards identifying , isolating and bringing the criminal elements within our communities to deserved justice.
