The chief of Army staff Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai, has charged soldiers involved in the exercise Atilogwu Udo 1 within the South East states to engage by rules of engagement during the exercise.
Speaking at the Super camp Nsulu, in ISIALANGWA North Local Government Area of Abia state, during the inspection of facilities and flag off exercise, Gen. Buratai, representated by the chief of Army training and operations, Brigadier Gen. Enobong Udoh, said the exercise was intended to checkmate security challenges within the South East states.
He added that the exercise would also improve the training of Army officers involved in the discharge of their duties.
He charged the soldiers to ensure that armed robbers, kidnappers and others criminal elements operating in the south East states were reduced to the bearest minimum.
He asked them to ensure that no law abiding citizens of area were stopped from going about their normal business.
He said, “This exercise will start from today November 1and end by December 23, 2019.
“The essence is to ensure that criminal elements operating within the south East would be flushed out before the people of the zone would return for the yulitide celebration.
“Ensure that you protect the residents of the area, but put the criminals here on the run”.
In his speech, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, assured the military that the residents of the state would cooperate with them throughout the period of the exercise
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu urged the soldiers involved to refrain from unnecessary molestation of the civilian population of the state.
