Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya Monday said the essence of operation "Golden dawn" in Southeast was to checkmate criminal exercises that takes place during yuletide period.
The army Chief who disclosed this to journalists at the military cantonment, Nkwegu barracks, Abakaliki noted that flagging off of the periodic exercise was done simultaneously in Southsouth, Southwest and Northcentral respectively. That it would be done in collaboration with other sister agencies in the country.
Let. Gen. Farouk further stated that his would be visiting Anambra to assess security situation there.
He said, "I came again to 82 Division Enugu this time around to flag off our exercises "still water, exercise enduring peace and golden dawn", these are exercises and operation we conduct almost every yuletide season in other to checkmate the criminal activities that are associated with this period of the year.
"As I flagged off the operation in Enugu today, it is being simultaneously flagged off in South South, Southwest, in North Central also.
"The aim like I said is to checkmate and it is not only in army, we are doing it in synergy with other services and other security agencies. In Enugu for example you have seen the police, you have seen the DSS, even Road safety, the for service , Custom, NDLEA all and including also other stakeholders and well meaning Nigerians who we are always telling upon and also bring reliable information because security is everybody's business and that is why we are here.
"Tomorrow I will be going to Anambra to know what is happening there and see the troops and assess the situation there".
The Army General during his visit commission one of the Administration block newly built in the barrack after which he paid a courtesy visit to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has been commended for his approach to peace and security strategies that have brought about peace and curtailed youths' restiveness in Ebonyi State and Southeast in extension.
The commendation was made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya on Monday, during a courtesy call at the Presidential Lodge of the new Government House, Ochudo Centenary City Abakaliki, to intimate him on the launch of the new operation Golden Dawn nationwide.
The Governor commended the COAS and his team for their efforts in tackling insecurity in parts of the country which has kept the nation united as one indivisible entity.
He also appreciated the COAS for his assistance to the southeast Governors in their efforts to nip in the bud pockets of violence in parts of the State.
"I consider it an honor to have you in this place. Let me also commend you very highly because you came at a quite challenging period in the history of our Nation.
“I continue to say that security problem in Nigeria is the duty of everybody and until we get to that understanding, we cannot completely solve our security problems. Mr. President is not a spirit, and the army is not a spirit.
"The army works with local intelligence to provide security and people must volunteer this information to the army.
“I want to commend very highly the GOC, GOC is a fearless officer and he has helped the South East. If not his type of person, the story you would have been hearing about South East, it would have been terrible. We are very much pleased with his courage and commitment with his officers"
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahya thanked Governor Umahi and other southeast Governors for their efforts in controlling the security situation in the Zone especially in taming the periodic sit-at-home order by IPOB.
