By Gabriel Ameh
Residents of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have commended the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for the significant improvement in security and the restoration of peace across communities in the area, following the deployment of Operation Udo Ka by the Defence Headquarters.
The residents attributed the renewed calm to the sustained military presence under Operation Udo Ka, which was introduced to curb insecurity and other criminal activities in Ebonyi State and the wider South-East region.
The commendation was made during a reception organised by the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Hon. Bar. Sunday Nwankwo, in honour of visiting defence correspondents led by the Defence Media Operations (DMO) of the Defence Headquarters. Participants drawn from various communities praised Operation Udo Ka and the leadership of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Oluremi Fadairo, for their role in restoring peace to Ikwo communities.
In his remarks, the council chairman described the security situation in the area as dire before the introduction of Operation Udo Ka, noting that the operation has drastically improved safety and stability across the local government.
Nwankwo said the impact of the Nigerian military’s peace-building efforts in Ebonyi State and the entire South-East has been evident, stressing that Ikwo remained calm and incident-free during the recent Christmas and New Year festivities.
“We enjoyed a peaceful and tranquil festive period. There was no harassment, no criminal activity, and no kidnapping incidents. Our people returned home freely and celebrated without fear, all thanks to the presence of Operation Udo Ka and the professionalism of the Nigerian military,” he said.
He further disclosed that the gains recorded through the military intervention have encouraged residents and community leaders to deepen cooperation with security agencies, particularly through timely information sharing, which he described as vital to sustaining peace.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer of the 24 Support Engineer Regiment, Abakaliki, Lt. Col. Ikenna Emmanuel Chielo, acknowledged that the successes recorded by Operation Udo Ka troops in Ikwo would not have been possible without the cooperation and intelligence support provided by local communities.
Conveying the message of the Chief of Defence Staff to the people, Lt. Col. Chielo appealed to traditional rulers, women, youths, and other community leaders to sustain the existing collaboration with the military to eliminate all forms of insecurity in the area.
He also warned against the proliferation of arms, stressing that the military would not tolerate possession of any weapon within the local government, regardless of size. He added that continuous training of personnel remains a key strategy to enhance professionalism and strengthen civil-military relations, including effective engagement with the media.
The event provided an avenue for traditional rulers, women groups, and youth leaders to collectively express their satisfaction with the activities of Operation Udo Ka and reaffirm their commitment to working closely with the military to sustain peace in Ikwo and neighbouring communities.
