Insecurity: Army deploys Northern commanders to oversee operations in S’East

Obinwannem News Insecurity: Army deploys Northern commanders to oversee operations in S'East

Northern commanders of the Nigerian army were said now occupy key positions to run the operational affairs of Southeast region.

According to news gathered by Obinwannem, the military posted muslims and non Igbo personnel as commanders over its operations and brigades in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, Edo, Delta and Rivers.

This new development has created tensions in the Southeast region. The commanders are mainly from the North, while few are from the Southwest.

In Anambra state, the commandant of the 302 Artillery Regiment, is Col. Abdulsalam Abubakar Sambo, a Hausa/Fulani Muslim, while in Imo state, the Brigadier Commander of 34 Brigade, Obinze, is Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Tukura another Northerner.

In Abia State, the Brigade Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, is Brig. Gen. M. Ibrahim, still a Northerner. While in Akwa Ibom State, the Brigade Commander of Uyo, is Brig General Faruk Myinyawe, another Northerner.

In Rivers State, the General Officer commanding of the 6 division, who oversees the South South States is Maj. General Sanbo G. Mohammed, another Muslim (northerners) .

The 82 division headquarters in Enugu State, which oversees the South East brigades is headed by Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, a muslim, South West.

Brig Gen M. A Sadiq is the Brigade Commander of Edo, while in Delta, Brigade Commander of 63 Brigade, Brig Gen A Idris, another Muslim Northerner.

A Military personnel lamented:
“It is sad that the Nigerian Army, though it refuses to confess it, has a body language of ethnic and religious domination for the Southern States. The operations and brigades are led by officers who are estranged to the region; cannot relate to the needs and aspiration of the states and seemed to be bought to enforce subjugation.

“Yes, the army is the face of Nigeria’s unity, but it is obvious that the army does not believe in Christians, Southern Officers to hold key positions, most especially in the troubled states. This is why the frictions continues sometimes, you need non kinetic measures to solve separatist agenda and agitations and not the guns and bullets. You need well refined and diplomatic officers from their region to speak to agitators in such regions. This strategy, the millitary, is conspicuously lacking”, another millitary source noted.

The Chairman of International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Emeka Umeagbalasi, reacting to the deployment said, ” The take over and control of crucial army formations in the Christian part of the country by these Muslim Officers are found to be deliberate policy of the present government.

“This has been Majorly responsible for the disproportionate security and safety of the affected Christian civilian population and their properties, thereby putting them not only in danger, but also exposing them to attacks by Jiharist herdsmen”.

Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News

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