By Sagir Musa
Exercise EGWU EKE 11 is a scheduled Nigerian Army Exercise that started on Friday 15 September and will end on Saturday the 14th of October, 2017.
In our efforts to keep the public informed about the Exercise, regular press releases are issued as events of public interest unfold. Similarly, periodic (weekly) updates are also being provided.
Consequently, the following update is for the period between Friday the 29th September to Friday the 6th of October 2017.
PATROLS AND RAIDS
Patrols and raids on suspected criminal hideouts and comfirmed flash points across the South Eastern Region have been sustained during this period. This has denied criminals the freedom of action. Similarly, crisis prune areas such as Ohaji Egbema in Imo State, Aba, Ngwa and Umuahia areas of Abia State, Ogorude and Edda axis of Ebonyi and Cross River States have so far been stabilized.
RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
Due to regular patrols and search operations on comfirmed criminal hideouts, some recovery of arms and ammunition have been made.
Specifically, At about 1145 hours on 30th September 2017, troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector 4 (342 Artillery Regiment Area of Responsibility), while on patrol in Obile community in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State raided residence of prominent cultist and oil bunkerer and recovered 3 x locally made single barrel guns, 1x AK 47 Rifle loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62MM Special ammunition.
Also, following a tip off, troops of 342 AR raided a criminal den and arrested 4 cultists in Umukpo and Omoglogo villages in Ohuba community of Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State.
In the same vein, troops of Sector 2, (34 Brigade Owerri), averted bloody intra cultists clash on 30 September 2017. The Degbam cult group members involved and arrested are ; Mr Onyewokechi Chiwuanya AKA Randy was arrested in Abacheke locality of Egbema community for cultism and buglery of an electronics store, Messrs Uchechi Agu and Esoro Chibuzor AKA Oyibo were also arrested on cult related activities. They were handed over to Egbema Police Station for further action.
In a related development, troops of Sector 3 (82 Division Garrison location) have arrested a drug peddler Mr David Ubi and recovered 100kg of Indian hemp and some drugs suspected to be tramol. Mr Ubi hails from Yakurr LGA of Cross River State and has since been handed over to police for further action.
VISIT TO EXERCISE AREAS BY GOCs& Formations Commanders
In line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General TY Buratai, many GOCs and various commanders of formations and Nigerian Army Schools have visited the theatre of the Exercise to assess the ongoing Ex EGWU EKE activities and to ensure troops conform to international best practices. Among the Senior Army Officers that visited and appreciated the Exercise were the GOCs of 1 and 81 Divisions, Major Generals A Oyebade and PJ Dauke, Commandant Nigerian Army College of Logistics Major General RC Duru, Corps Commanders Artillery and Nigerian Army Electrical, Mechanical Major Generals MH Garba and MO Uzoh respectively.
NIGERIAN ARMY HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION
As part of the package for Exercise EGWU EKE 11, the 82 Division Nigerian Army has planned and executed an elaborate and unique humanitarian assistance in the areas of Free Medical Outreach and distribution of food items (rice) as well as chocolate and biscuits to local communities and primary school children in selected villages of Abia, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.
So far, based on data from the 82 Division Medical Hospital and Services, a total of Nine Thousand Two Hundred and Fourty One people excluding children benefited from the free medical outreaches conducted by the Division. The total breakdown of beneficiaries per State is as indicated below ;
a. Abia State in Ovim community Isuikwoato LGA = 2005
b. Ebonyi at Nkwagu Community, Abakaliki LGA Ebonyi State = 1401
c. Enugu State Inyi Ogba Community, Orji River LGA = 1985
d. Imo State = 1875
e. Cross River State at Ogorude Community, Obubra LGA of Cross River State = 1975
The free medical outreach and other humanitarian assistance would be extended to Anambra State before the end of the Exercise.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Div
