On Tuesday, the Army disclosed that soldiers have been on patrol in Ebonyi State, following “security reports of political violence” in the making to February general elections in the state, Igbere Tv reports.
In a statement by Colonel Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director of Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, he said , “Based on credible intelligence reports of likely political violence in the build-up to elections and electioneering campaigns by contending parties, troops of Sector 4, in 24 Support Engineer Regiment AOR, Ebonyi State, have jointly been conducting patrols in major identified flashpoints across Ebonyi state, Igbere Tv reports.
“Consequently, there is an increased presence of security agencies on patrols and snap checkpoints in some areas such as Afikpo, Ekpoamaka, Alike Achara and Nwankpa communities in Afikpo and Ikwo LGAs of the state. “Similarly, key areas like Ikwo junction, Enugu road, Presco Roundabout and Vanco Water Works, witnessed an increased presence of security personnel. “These efforts are aimed at providing a conducive environment for socio-economic and political activities by proactively checkmating anticipated crisis before, during and after the 2019 general elections in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.” According to Musa, the deployment of soldiers on the Operation Python Dance 111 (Egwu Eke 111) to the troubled area was aimed at ensuring peace before, during and after the election period.
He also said;
“One major gain of Exercise Egwu-Eke III (Python Dance III), like the previous ones, is in the maintenance of peace and security in the entire South East geo-political zone,” including that “due to sustained mobile patrols, targeted raids, stop and search operations as well as aggresive intelligence drive across the zone, hoodlums were denied freedom of action.”
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