By Oginyi Ruth
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai says the military exercise, “Atilogwu Udo 1 (Dance of Peace)” in the South Eastern part of the country is not targeted at Igbo leaders or anyone in the region.
According to him, the operation is aimed at clearing the region of criminal elements in the zone as yuletide celebrations approache.
Buratai stated this on Thursday during a 2-day Civil – Media – Military Relations Summit for journalists in the South East zone held at 82 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.
The CAS represented by the head of Training and Operations in the Nigerian Army, Major General E. O Udo, said “Atilogwu Udo 1” will consolidate on the successes recorded in the previous exercises under Operation Python Dance.
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The army boss hinted that in the cause of the exercise, the military will carry out interventions in the area of environmental sanitation exercise, medical outreaches and road construction within the south east zone.
Buratai emphasized that the exercise would bring the Nigeria Army closer to civilians as a way of reorienting them on the positive impacts of military exercises across the nation.
“The entire objective of this exercise is positive not targeting anybody; the army will be conducting free medical exercises to make the people know that we are Nigerian Army.
“It is conducted with other security agencies because every security agency has their mandate. And together we will secure the entire region so that you will have a free festive season.”
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Declaring the summit open with the theme: “Galvanizing Citizens Support for Military Operations in Nigeria through the Media” the Chief of Army Staff called on the South East region to cooperate with the military to ensure the success of the exercise which will be executed in partnership with other sister agencies.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 , Enugu, Brigadier-General Lasisi Adeboye, who corroborated the position of the Chief of Army Staff, noted that “Atilogwu Udo 1” exercise was not targeted at any individual or group of persons but to ensure law and order and rid the region of crimes and criminality.
He noted that the army needs timely information to do their work and if army has the information on time, Nigerians would be more secured.
He enjoined the media to also assist the army with useful information as well as educate the public on the activities of the military.
“The exercise which will commence tomorrow (Friday) and it is not targeted at any individual. It was planned with the best interest of the citizens in my mind. We are here to inform you of the activities of the army and commend the press for its cooperation and reportage of the activities of the military.
In a paper titled : “The Military, Media, Peace and National Development : Exercise Atilogwu Udo l perspective.” delivered by Associate Prof Ifeanyi Didiugwu, the Speaker called on the military to be conscious of her image at home and abroad as they need the contributions of citizens in order to succeed in all their military exercises.
