By Chris Chimezie
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There will be no more hiding place for kidnappers and other criminal groups who have unleashed terror on the people of Ondo state, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai has assured.

Buratai gave the assurance during the flag-off of exercise ‘Egwu Eke (lll) which means’ Operation Python Dance’ held at the Operation’s tactical headquarters in Owo, yesterday.

He explained that the exercise is meant to check the level of insecurity across the length and breadth of the country.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Okwudili Azinta,  said exercises Egwu Eke 1&2 were conducted in 83 Divisions in 2016 and 2017, adding that Egwu Eke lll is designed to build on the successes recorded in exercises 1&2.

“As the build-up to the 2019 general elections gather momentum, there is reported upsurge of security challenges such as compiling of arms by criminal groups and recruitment of political thugs.

“These challenges, coupled with internal security threats like terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and herdsmen clashes, suggests that dissident groups and criminal elements would want to take advantage of the rising insecurity if not checked”, he said.

He assured that all forms of security threats would be checkmated from blossoming into large scale violence, before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

“This underscores the need to adequately prepare troops and equip them in order to professionally respond to these challenges in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies”, he said.

Earlier, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had assured that his administration would continue to support security agencies within the available resources in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

He explained that government was fully aware that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace and security.

The governor further said there was a recent upsurge in criminalities, especially kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery, however, said substantial arrests had been made while those found culpable would be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.

“We are not going to relent until the state is rid of people with criminal tendencies. Let me therefore commend the security agencies for their efforts in ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.

“I also wish to place on record, the harmonious relationship and synergy amongst the security agencies in the state. This has led to a robust intelligence sharing and the needed cooperation in tackling security challenges in the state,” he said.

Akeredolu also expressed confidence that the Nigerian Army with the exercise, was capable of flushing out all criminal elements within the nooks and crannies of the state from their hideouts to give it the deserved peace and tranquility required for social and economic development.

“I am made to understand that this is an internal security exercise that will be conducted on both land and water with a view to checkmating the diverse security challenges prevalent in the Southern region of the country, including militancy, vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure, piracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and illegal bunkering, among others.

“I want to urge the distinguished officers and men of the Nigerian Army that will be participating in this exercise to observe the Rules of Engagement and code of conduct to avoid any action that may infringe on the rights of the public, especially the community hosting the programme.

“I am assuring you that our people are peace loving and will support and cooperate with you in ensuring the success of the exercise,” he said.

Also, Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, Brig. Gen. James Ataguba said the various security challenges pervading the country had necessitated series of operations in which exercise ‘Egwu Eke (lll) is one of them.

Ataguba who further stated that the exercise will dovetail into real time operation, assured people of the state, the general public and the entire country that the Nigerian Army will not rest on its oars at protecting citizens of the country.