The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma flagged off ‘Golden Dawn’, a military exercise aimed at tackling the rising insecurity in the State.
The exercise according to Army authorities will target members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB); the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), kidnappers, gunmen, and other criminal elements who have recently turned Anambra State into a troubled zone.
Insightnaijatv recalls that the entire South-East has been witnessing pockets of violence, kidnappings and arson by ‘unknown gunmen’. In some quarters, the attacks are believed to be carried by members of the Estern Security Network, a militia arm of the now proscribed pro-secession group, the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.
The exercise, according to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Col. Abdulkarim .B. Usman, in the welcome address stated that ‘Exercise Golden Dawn’, apart from serving as an avenue to combat insecurity in Anambra State, and foster inter agency cooperation, it’s also a routine training exercise in various geopolitical zones of Nigeria and South Eastern States.
According to Usman, “The military will use the golden opportunity in conjunction with other security agencies to curb the existing security threats in Anambra State.
“The threats ranges from secessionist agitations by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB; the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Eastern Security Network, ESN.
“Others are banditry, kidnapping, cultist activities, land disputes clashes, communal clashes, chieftaincy issues clashes, assassinations and youths restiveness.
“To curb these countless security challenges, a robust posture in what the unit has always maintained.”
Col. Usman vowed that the security threats in the state will be swiftly and effectively brought under control.
While flagging off the operation, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma charged the security agencies to apply international best practice in observance to rules of engagement as they discharge their duties.
Uzodimma said, “It is a well known fact that security of lives and properties are one of the obligations of the Government while it is an established understanding that security is everyone’s business. It is on the above premise that it becomes pertinent for everyone to join hands with the Government for a secured society where peace reigns.”
“This Excercise Golden Dawn which has the Imo State command at Orlu, would be operated across the South Eastern states to forestall breakdown of law and order while ensuring the safety of all especially with the festive seasons approaching.”
“It is no longer news that in recent time, the people of South East have been experiencing insurgency arising from numerous factors. However, with the corporation of everyone, the security agencies would arrest the situation and return normalcy in the land.
