Kanu, Ekpa Detentions Improve Security in South-East — Army

The Nigerian Army says security in the South-East has improved markedly following intensified military operations and the detention of separatist leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa.

Major General Michael Onoja said criminal activities across the region have declined over the past year, attributing the improvement to sustained troop deployments in the South-Eastern states and recent court actions against leaders of the separatist group.

According to Onoja, the detention of Simon Ekpa by the Government of Finland and the continued custody of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja have weakened the group’s command structure and reduced its capacity to plan and carry out attacks.

He said the group had previously targeted lightly manned checkpoints and security posts, often killing personnel and seizing weapons, which were then used for further attacks in the region.

Onoja noted that these incidents have reduced significantly as a result of sustained military pressure and leadership disruptions.

The Army said operations in the South-East would continue in order to consolidate recent security gains, protect lives and property, and prevent criminal groups from reorganising.