* Urges residents to go about their normal engagements
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, declared that the illegal sit-at-home order in the South-East has ended.
He stated this in Abuja during the COAS combined second and third quarter-conference.
According to him, the menace ended due to the heightened efforts of troops in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“We have equally heightened our efforts in containing criminalities perpetrated in the South East region by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)and Eastern Security Network (ESN). Through Operation Udoka, our troops have, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, put an end to the infamous sit-at-home order that has almost crippled socio-economic activities in the Rrgion,” Lagbaja said.
“Law-abiding citizens of the region now go about their businesses and everyday life. Similarly, our joint efforts with various government agencies have quelled attempts by criminals to disrupt economic activities in the South West region.”
On insurgency, the army chief said the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorists have been curtailed, adding that residents of the troubled states had commenced commercial activities in the states.
He also said the Nigerian Army has established Special Forces units to tackle insecurity across the country.
The sit-at-home order was initially to demand the release of pro-Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from prison.
But the move, which in recent times assumed deadly dimensions, has gravely affected the region’s economy and resulted in the loss of lives and properties.