Nigeria Army begins Exercise Egwu Eke III in Ondo

In a bid to rid Ondo State of crime, especially increasing kidnappings and armed robbery in recent times, the Nigerian Army 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, has commenced Exercise Egwu Eke III.

General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Major General Okwudili Azinta, said during the inauguration yesterday in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area, that there was no hiding place for kidnappers and criminals in the state.

He disclosed that the exercise would last from January 3, 2019 to February 24, 2019.

Azinta said the choice of Ondo State for the exercise was to assure the good people that there would be no hiding place for criminals and kidnappers who have continued to threaten the peace of the state.

Other senior officers at the event were, Brigade Commander of 32 Artillery, Brigadier General James Ataguba, heads of other security agencies, and members of the state executive council.

Speaking, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu pledged to continue to support security agencies, as available resources would allow to enable them to carry out their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

Akeredolu added that his administration was aware that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

Explaining that his administration had earlier donated some vehicles to the state police command, he said effort is being made to procure more patrol vehicles and equipment for the security agencies as part of the contributions to effective and efficient security operations.

The governor, who appreciated the military and other security agencies for their cooperation and efforts so far, urged the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to observe the rules of engagement and code of conduct to avoid any action that may infringe on the rights of the people, especially the host communities.

He expressed hope that the exercise would assist in flushing out all criminals across the state from their hideouts to ensure peace and tranquility required for socio-economic development.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has arrested 72 suspects at Lafia-Lamurde in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State and handed them over to the state police for prosecution.

While briefing journalists yesterday during the handing over ceremony in Yola, the 23 Amour Brigade Commander, Major General Bello Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested during a crisis between Waja Community and herders.

He said the suspects set ablaze an entire community in the area, attacked the people with arms and destroyed property worth millions of Naira.