The Nigerian Army has urged members of the
public to disregard reports in some section of
the media that it is withdrawing troops from
Abia state.
According to a statement by Brigadier General
Sani Kukasheka Usman, Director Army Public
Relations, the exercise will commence as
scheduled.
Read full text of statement:
NIGERIAN ARMY EXERCISE EGWU EKE II WILL
TAKE OFF TOMORROW AS SCHEDULED
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been
drawn to some stories in the media that it is
withdrawing its troops from Exercise EGWU EKE
II, crediting such information to Abia State
Governor and the General Officer Commanding
82 Division Nigerian Army. This is not true. The
Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin members of the
public to disregards such rumours.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia State
Governor in his speech stated that “there will be
gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of
Aba and Umuahia from tomorrow”. This should
not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops
earmarked for Exercise EGWU EKE II. The
General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not
said such thing.
Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise
EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow as
scheduled. Commanders have been instructed to
ensure that all hands are on deck to commence
the Exercise to its logical completion. We wish
to state further that the successful completion
of the exercise will dovetail into the various
states security outfits till the end of this year.
Members of the public especially in the areas
where the exercise will take place are please
enjoined to go about their lawful businesses. We
wish to also state that we would not allow any
individual or group to jeopardize the conduct of
the field training exercise through unlawful or
criminal activities. Hoodlums and criminal
elements are once again warned to be law
abiding and not cause any breach of peace. We
hereby reiterate that our troops would conduct
themselves in the best professional manner,
abide by the Rules of Engagement and Code of
Conduct in line with requirements of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Any act of indiscipline by any of our personnel
would be decisively dealt with. While we enjoin
all Nigerians to go about their normal
businesses, the Nigerian Army urge all to
support the troops as they carry out their
constitutional duties and make Exercise EGWU
EKE II a success.
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations
Source; Jtownconnect