Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa
Simon Ekpa’s arrest, Operation Udoka Restore Calm in South-East – CDS Musa
The arrest of Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland has significantly reduced tension in the South-East, according to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
Gen. Musa attributed the improved security in the region to Ekpa’s detention and the ongoing Operation Udoka, established by the Defence Headquarters to address banditry and end the Monday sit-at-home protests.
Appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to defend the 2025 budget, Gen. Musa highlighted the role of collaborative efforts with local communities and political leaders in restoring stability.
“With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, tensions have greatly diminished. Operation Udoka is effectively targeting key leadership and restoring peace. The sit-at-home protests on Mondays are gradually fading,” he said.
He also noted that proactive measures taken during the last holiday period ensured peace across the region.
Gen. Musa emphasized the importance of non-kinetic approaches and the growing synergy between the armed forces, local leaders, and citizens in addressing security challenges.
The CDS mentioned the ongoing Delta Safe operation in the South-South, which has improved Nigeria’s oil production, nearing the OPEC quota of 2 million barrels per day.
He called for sustained inter-agency collaboration and stakeholder involvement in achieving security and economic targets.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, stressed the importance of judicious allocation of resources to enhance the operational capacity of the armed forces amidst evolving global and domestic security threats.