Arrest of Ekpa drastically reduced chaos in S/E – CDS

By Tom Okpe

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has informed that the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland has greatly reduced the tension in the South East saying the development, alongside the ‘Operation Udoka’ by the Defence Headquarters, is also, restoring peace in the region.

Simon Ekpa, another faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB was arrested at Finland, sometimes in 2014.

Gen Musa said the Military is working with the people to ensure stability in the region.

The CDS who was at the National Assembly, to defend the 1015 budget of the Defence Headquarters sid: “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also, with ‘Operation Udoka,’ we are there, taking them out, and making sure that the place is peaceful.

“The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We are also working with the political leaders there, because we understand, like I always say, we need to have the local support because without it, it’s difficult. You know, the terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”

Musa said the last holiday period was very peaceful because they were very proactive, pointing that the Military is committed to non-kinetic measures of addressing the security problems and, yielding positive results.

“We had some intelligence reports, 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, synergy in our operations.

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“We always appeal to Nigerians, to understand that they have to take ownership of their armed forces, they have to take ownership of the security challenges we are facing. It’s not the challenge for the armed forces alone or security agencies, it’s everybody’s responsibility.

“We are happy that we are beginning to get that support from everywhere. Human intelligence information is coming, it’s flowing quite very well and we are taking adequate action and that is why, we see things, improving.

“What we have done is that, we established and enhanced the kinetic efforts for the three services for our operations. We have the Delta Safe, which is in the South South for Oil theft and Militancy. At least for the first time now we have been able to reach our OPEC oil quota for Nigeria and we intend to do more.

“Our target is to hit 2.2 million barrels a day for Nigeria. It’s not something that we can also do alone. We also need the other stakeholders in the oil industry to also play their own role.

“We are doing more, providing more security. We are close to 2 million barrels per day. We intend to do more. This year, we want to intensify our operations so that we can take over, completely.

“We have formed groups that are discussing with the locals. We have found that discussion has helped a lot. So, we have the religious leaders, the cultural leaders, and all stakeholder are part of it.

“We realize that if we carry everybody along, it makes it a lot easier. Like we said, the best General is the one that does not need to shoot. If you are able to solve the problem without firing it is better,” Gen Musa said.

The CDS urged the improvement of border management to address the problem of smuggling, saying that a number of children who are trafficked were rescued by them.

“We have rescued a number of children being trafficked across Nigeria to other countries. Trafficking of drugs, small arms, light weapons. We are working in tandem with the Customs. When we make such arrests, we call either the NDLEA or call the Customs and hand over to them. So these are extra things that we are doing.”

He expressed gladness that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently, increased salaries to some extent of the junior class, which he said, “is the junior grade of personnel, which has also enhanced their ability.

“We know the country is going through so much and it’s not only the Military that needs support, but I think we want to get more, we can do more,” he added.

Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep Babajimi Benson in his presentation said as representatives of the people, it is their duty to ensure that every Naira is judiciously spent to strengthen operational capacity of the Air Force, Navy and Army to deliver tangible results.

He said: “This year’s budget defense is particularly, significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats.

“These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.

“We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices, to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens.

“As we deliberate on the 2025 budget, I urge all defense agencies to prioritize strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives,” he said.