Yuletide: Mbah Assures Travellers Of Safety, Army Begins Special Operation

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has assured residents of the state and those who would travel to Enugu from around the world for Christmas and New Year celebrations of adequate security throughout the festive period.

His assurance came as the Nigerian Army, flagged off a military operation codenamed: “Exercise Golden Dawn III” in the state.

It is designed to pre-empt security threats, guarantee the safety of the citizens across the state and reassure them of a hitch-free yuletide, said Enugu State remains the most peaceful state in the Southeast region as a result of the enormous support from the state government.

Mbah gave the assurance at the Tactical Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Udi local government area of the state when he addressed guests and military personnel at the ceremony.

The governor, who was represented by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, acknowledged that the Yuletide period was often characterised with high level of criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, among other security challenges, stressing that the state was ready to address the challenges and ensure that crimes are not recorded during the celebrations.

He recalled the security successes his administration had recorded over the past few months such as the cancellation of the illegal sit-at-home orders, arrests and prosecution of kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists in the state, maintaining that the government would continue to collaborate with the military and other security agencies to safeguard lives and property of the citizens.

“Permit me, therefore, to extend to you, the support and warm wishes of the Government and people of Enugu State, as you flag off this exercise. I wish to enjoin that the Enugu State government has had a long tradition of mutual understanding, cooperation and assistance that we have maintained with the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army. It is our resolve to assist the security agencies in the state to facilitate an enduring enabling environment for our people,” he added.

While commending the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the general officer commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada, and their officers and men for their commitment to making sure insecurity was stamped out of the state, the governor stressed that the administration would continue its support for the division in the discharge of their duties.

Earlier, the Garrison commander, Enugu, Brigadier General Murtala Abu, said the exercise would be conducted in the entire parts of the state in collaboration with the Chief of Army Staff, stressing that the Nigerian Army would forge effective cooperation with other sister security agencies for maximum security and safety of the people.

He stated that the primary objective of the exercise, which is routinely conducted annually during festive periods, was to restore the confidence of the people and assure them of their safety as they go about their celebration.