The Nigerian Army has flagged off a new package known as Exercise Atilogwu Udo 1 in Umuahia with the charge on officers and men to ensure that kidnapping, armed robbery, and intercult rivalry is brought to an end in the South East before, during and after the yultide season.

Speaking at the occasion while reading his address, the Acting General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu Brigadier General Lasisi Adegboye thanked God for making the event a reality, stating that Exercise Atilogwu Udo 1 is a peaceful exercise which will help to curtail crime and promote a conducive environment for peace and unity as well as to foster civil/military cooperation.

Brigadier Lasisi Adegboye thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and other South East States Governors on their support to the military, hinting that the exercise will help to eradicate kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult activities during the Christmas season.

In his address, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who was rep[resented on the occasion by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Sir Udeh Oko Chukwu explained that the essence of the exercise is for security agencies to collaborate and ensure that they reduce crime to the barest minimum.

He pointed out that Abia is a peaceful State and has ranked among the most peaceful States, and appealed to the officers to carry out the exercise without molesting or harrasing people unnecessarily, and called on Abians and the people of the South East to cooperate with the military as they embark on the exercise.

Also Speaking, the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai represented by Chief of Army Training/Operation Major General Enobong Udo expressed delight for being part of the exercise, pointing out that Atilogwu Udo in Igbo means a dance of peace.

The Major General further explained that the exercise which starts today (November 1st, 2019), will end on the 23rd day of December 2019, adding that it tends to develop officers/men of 82 Division to be more alert in combating crime and its likes, hinting that the exercise will be conducted simultenously in the States of the South East so as to mitigate elements such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism etc.

He went further to maintain state that the exercise will be fully conducted in conjunction with other security agencies in order to sustain peace across the Easter region of the country and appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the South East Governors for their unrelenting support they have given to the Nigerian Army.

In their seperate speeches at the flag off venue in Nsulu Games camp, the Rt. Hon. Sir Udeh Oko Chukwu and the representative of the Chief of Army Staff Major General Enobong Udo reiterated on the need for officers and men to work with concerted efforts with the rest of their conterparts to end crime in the South East and charged them not to relent.

Highpoint during the event was a special dance by Atilogwu Dance troupe, presentation of sourvenirs the Deputy Governor onbehalf of the Governor and to other notable dignitaries as well as a press up performance by officers and men which indicates their readiness to check crime, among others.