Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, announced on Tuesday that the sit-at-home order in the Southeast region has officially come to an end.
The declaration was made during the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) combined second and third-quarter conference held in Abuja.
General Lagbaja attributed the successful cessation of the sit-at-home order to the intensified efforts of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with various stakeholders who worked tirelessly to restore normalcy to the South-East region.
“We have equally heightened our efforts in containing criminalities perpetrated in the South East Region by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN). Through Operation Udoka, our troops have, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, put an end to the infamous sit-at-home order that has almost crippled socio-economic activities in the Region,” General Lagbaja stated.
He further noted that law-abiding citizens of the Southeast region can now freely go about their businesses and daily lives without fear of intimidation or violence. The joint efforts of the Nigerian Army and various government agencies have successfully thwarted criminal attempts to disrupt economic activities in the South-West region as well.
Turning to the issue of insurgency, General Lagbaja reported significant progress in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, stating that residents of the previously troubled states have begun to engage in commercial activities, signaling a return to normalcy.
In a bid to further enhance security across the nation, General Lagbaja announced the establishment of Special Forces units within the Nigerian Army, specially trained to address the evolving challenges of insecurity in different regions of the country.
General Lagbaja concluded his address by pledging unwavering commitment to the welfare of troops and their families under his leadership.
“To this end, troops’ welfare and that of their families will remain predominant in all our efforts. I intend to consolidate all existing welfare arrangements to enhance the well-being of our troops and their families as this will keep them focused on their tasks. In addition to providing befitting living quarters for our personnel, we shall ensure the newly introduced ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme,’ designed to provide affordable and high-quality post-service homes for our soldiers,” General Lagbaja affirmed.
The sit-at-home order, originally initiated to demand the release of pro-Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu from prison, had in recent times escalated into a grave crisis, severely impacting the region’s economy and leading to loss of lives and property.
General Lagbaja’s announcement brings a ray of hope for peace and stability in the affected areas, while his commitment to troop welfare signals a positive direction for the Nigerian Army’s future operations.
