IGP Unveils Operation Restore Peace In South-East

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, May 18th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali has launched an operation, codenamed Operation Restore Peace (Operation RP) in the Southeast geo-political zone.

Speaking while launching the Operation RP at the Okpara Square in Enugu in the company of the Southeast Governors led by Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the acting IGP, Alkali said the operation was customized to bring back the cherished peace that the southeast was known for.

According to him, the operation would boost the efforts of police to change the narrative to what the Igbo man used to be and ensure that “all live in peace in this part of the country.”

He explained that the operation will take place simultaneously in all the states in the Southeast and expressed hope that the operation will restore the peace that the people of the zone are known for.

The police boss, noted that the people of South Eastern Nigeria are historically known to be peaceful, tolerant, innovative, industrious and entrepreneurial, adding that they are also highly respected citizens that have made their marks in the field of academics, scientific inventions and commerce.

The acting IGP expressed dismay that the zone has been witnessing increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and communal violence in recent years.

“They are a unique ethnic group that freely and peacefully live with others across the country and within the South East. Unfortunately, events of late have altered this positive narrative.

“This trend has of late been laced with inter-ethnic intolerance and separatist agitation as championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The separatist agenda of this group has assumed an armed dimension in which important political and community leaders as well as personnel and assets of the Nigeria Police, Military and other security agencies are being constantly targeted in clearly well-coordinated, premeditated violent attacks in the region.

“Aside this, the deepening inter-ethnic prejudice and intolerance in the region is also occasioning unjustifiable inter-ethnic violence and counter-violence. Apart from the massive loss of property and fatalities to lives, the violent campaigns are beginning to have damaging effect on the socio-economic development of the region.

“This trend is being compounded by the illegal proliferation of firearms as well as the deployment of the social media by the leadership of IPOB to indoctrinate, misinform, and misdirect south easterners towards the path of violent separatism.

According to him, ” This evolving trend constitutes a major threat to our nation’s internal security and national unity and, hence, requires urgent sets of all-inclusive actions in order to roll back the disastrous tide”

The Nigerian police boss further pointed out that violent agitation and associated crimes, particularly, those that endanger the lives, property and livelihood of the civil populace and threaten our national unity, peace and security in the form being currently noticed do not and can never represent our traditional values as a people.

“Unfortunately, the current armed campaign by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is constituting a major threat not only to these values, but to our national security and peaceful co-existence as a nation.

“ Indeed, the resort to terror tactics, disregard to constitutional processes and disrespect for democratic standards to advance their interests of creating an ungovernable space in the region informed the decision of the Federal Government to outlaw IPOB.

“In spite of this, and despite the concerted efforts of State Governors, revered Traditional Rulers, religious Bodies and well-meaning personalities in the Zone, the group continues to widen their armed insurrection and destabilising campaigns with fatal consequences.

“This they are doing without regard to the fact that no nation develops to its optimal potentials in an environment where constitutional governance and national harmony are threatened by violent insurrection as being championed by them.

“The key factor in addressing the prevailing security threats in the South East is that we should as a people, be determined to build a consensus, partner in condemning any act of criminality, and resolve to work with the Police and other security agencies towards identifying, isolating and bringing the criminal elements within our communities to deserved justice.

“There must come a time in the life of a nation when we, as a people, must strengthen our will, and resolve to mobilise and deploy all our assets towards confronting these criminal elements, take the battle to their doorsteps, and make a clear statement that the few deviants within us cannot and will not re-order our cherished national values.

” The time is now. Today’s launch of ‘Operation RP’ by the Nigeria Police is aimed at this direction and it follows the directives of Mr. President to the Nigeria Police to re-evaluate and emplace new operational strategies to stem the tide of violence and secessionist agenda not only in the South East but across the country.

“While we shall do all within our powers and means to achieve these tasks, we do acknowledge that we cannot do it alone.

“Indeed, no Police agency anywhere in the world, no matter how well-trained, equipped or motivated, can solely achieve its security and safety mandate without the support of the community.

“Consequently, we shall be collaborating closely with the Armed Forces, the intelligence community and other sister security agencies in this operation.

“In order to fully achieve the objects of this special operation we also solicit the full support of the civil populace, particularly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth associations, market bodies, cultural associations and professionals among others.

“ Permit me to also use this opportunity to specially appeal for the support and understanding of media practitioners across the print, electronic and the social media.

“While their roles in advancing the freedom of information principle is appreciated, patriotism and ethical values place an obligation on them to avoid sensational and unverified reportage on internal security operations.

“This is because, it can mislead and create unjustifiable sense of insecurity among the citizens, while unwittingly advancing the interests of the criminal elements.

According to him, the launch of ‘Operation RP’ in Enugu is the first in the line of their strategic action plan to restore peace across the country, adding that in the coming days the special operation will be extended to other parts of the country to address peculiar crimes including banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery in other geopolitical Zones.

“It is to be emphasized that ‘Operation RP’ will cover all the States within the South East Geopolitical Zone.

“I am confident that with the support of all strategic stakeholder, the operation will in due course, change the current security narratives in the Zone for good

The IGP, said: “I want to at this juncture, solemnly recognize the sacrifices that police personnel across all Commands in the South East have been making in furtherance to their resolve to sustain the unity of the country and restore peace and security in the South East.

“For those that have gallantly paid the supreme sacrifice and the injured, I can assure that you are the true heroes, heroines, and patriots whose names shall remain inscribed in the golden sand of history.

He however, charged the police officers and men deployed on the special operation to see their deployment as a call to national duty.

“The Force leadership and indeed, the entire nation are looking out for two major outcomes as you discharge your duties during this operation. First, to stabilize the security order in the South East in the shortest possible time. Second, to be professional in your conducts as you strive to attain this objective.

“This requires that you respect the rights of the citizens and undertake the operation within the dictates of rule of law. You are charged to be civil with the law-abiding citizens, but firm and ruthless with criminal elements and secessionists that may attempt to take the risk of testing your will or threatening the citizens within your Area of Jurisdiction” he stated.

In his remark, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuayi of Enugu state, said the special operation Lunch was timely, and pledged his support towards the success of the operation.