Nigerian soldiers would be withdrawn from the streets of Umuahia, the state capital of southern Abia, and Aba, its commercial nerve center, by Friday, the governor said Thursday.
Reacting to the security situation in the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, the state governor told reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, that the withdrawal would not affect pre-existing military checkpoints at various locations in the state.
Ikpeazu said the situation in the past few days, which led to the deployment of soldiers ahead of “Operation Python Dance II”, a military exercise by the Nigerian army, had generated great concern to both the government and the people.
“I will also be meeting the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing ‘Operation Python Dance II’ in the state for now,” he added.
The governor warned mischief makers to stay away from Abia as agitations and protests would not be tolerated, noting that the state will be too hot for them to carry out their wicked acts.
According to him, the state government will work with security agents to ensure the protection of lives and property without fear or favor.
He also urged residents of Aba to fully observe the current curfew in the city and ensure that they cooperate with security agents to maintain peace and order.
Ikpeazu said it was in the interest of the people of Abia for peace and security to be restored as meaningful progress could not be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and anarchy.
He further advised members of the public to stop spreading rumors capable of throwing the state into disorder, warning that anyone caught perpetrating such acts would be dealt with according to the law.
Meanwhile, the South-East Governors’ Forum has set-up a seven-man committee to investigate the recent clash between the Nigerian Army and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) members in Umuahia.
The committee was expected to submit its report during the forum’s meeting scheduled for Sept.15. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
