Army chief visits Imo, asks troops to redouble effort in fighting IPOB

Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, has asked troops deployed in Imo to redouble their effort in the fight against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The army chief who made the call while he visited the troops said he was in the state to have an assessment of the security situation.

There has been a series of attacks in Imo in recent weeks.

IPOB has been accused of perpetrating the attacks, but the group has continued to deny the allegation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said the army chief also hailed the troops for their resilience.

“The Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya has lauded the resilience and doggedness of troops of 34 Brigade and operatives of other security agencies in turning the tide of the recent spate of insecurity that resulted from the criminal activities of the proscribed group, IPOB, in Imo State,” he said.

“Gen Yahaya made the commendation today at Obinze Barracks, Owerri Imo state, while addressing the troops during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters 34 Brigade.

“He told the troops that his visit was informed by the need to have an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in the state. The COAS expressed delight on the successes so far recorded by the troops and urged them to redouble their effort in order to consolidate on their successes.

“Gen Yahaya further charged them to be loyal and exhibit high sense of duty at all times. He pointed out, that more successes would be recorded through compliance to instructions and loyalty to superior authority.

“The COAS also called on the officers to always lead by example and ensure that troops are adequately briefed and kept abreast of the mission at hand.”

In a show of synergy, Nwachukwu said the army chief paid a visit to troops of 211 response group of the Nigerian Air Force, Owerri, where he asked them to be professional and alert at all times.

He said the army chief appreciated them for the synergy in tackling insecurity in the state.

He added that the highlight of the tour was the army chief’s visit to the proposed military hospital, Owerri, and a tour of Obinze Barracks.