Tension in Nigeria’s Southeast has significantly reduced following the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Biafra agitator, according to Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa.
Musa made this disclosure on Tuesday while defending the 2025 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence.
He explained that Simon Ekpa’s arrest, along with the ongoing military operation codenamed *Operation Udoka*, has been instrumental in restoring peace to the region.
“With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the tension has greatly reduced. Through *Operation Udoka*, we’ve been identifying and detaining key leadership elements contributing to unrest, which is helping restore peace in the Southeast,” Musa stated.
The Defence Chief further noted that the previously widespread sit-at-home order on Mondays is gradually fading. “We’re working closely with political leaders in the region to ensure stability. Local support is crucial because the terrain presents significant challenges. However, the situation is improving,” he added.
Musa also credited proactive security measures for the relative peace experienced during the Christmas holidays.
“We utilized intelligence to anticipate and prevent potential disruptions, ensuring the region remained peaceful. This approach will be sustained as we emphasize joint operations and synergy among security agencies,” he said.
The Defence Chief reiterated the military’s commitment to non-kinetic measures in addressing security issues, emphasizing collaboration with local stakeholders as key to achieving lasting peace in the Southeast.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
