Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Reduced Tension in Southeast, Says CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has stated that the arrest of Biafra separatist agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland significantly reduced tension in Nigeria’s Southeast region. He highlighted this development, alongside the ongoing Operation Udoka by the Defence Headquarters, as key efforts restoring peace in the area.

Speaking during a budget defense session before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Gen. Musa noted that Operation Udoka was launched to combat banditry and address the sit-at-home mandates enforced by separatist groups in the Southeast. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with local communities to stabilize the region, describing progress as encouraging.

“With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension,” Gen. Musa said. “Operation Udoka is also making strides by targeting key leadership figures in the unrest and ensuring peace. The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We are working closely with political leaders and the local populace to secure their support because, without it, addressing the security challenges in such a complex terrain is difficult. Things are improving.”

The CDS commended proactive measures taken by security forces during the recent holiday period, which ensured peace in the region. He highlighted the ongoing use of non-kinetic strategies, which he said are yielding positive results.

“We utilized intelligence to maintain peace and will continue to prioritize such measures,” he said. “Synergy in our operations is vital. We urge Nigerians to take ownership of their armed forces and contribute to addressing security challenges. It is not a task for the armed forces or security agencies alone; it’s a collective responsibility. Human intelligence is flowing better, and our actions are producing results.”

Gen. Musa also provided updates on national security efforts, including the Delta Safe operation targeting oil theft and militancy in the South-South region. He noted significant progress in securing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, which has helped the country achieve its Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil quota for the first time in years.

“Our target is to hit 2.2 million barrels of oil per day,” he said. “We are close to achieving two million barrels daily, thanks to enhanced security and collaboration with stakeholders in the oil industry. This year, we aim to intensify these efforts.”

The CDS further revealed that engaging directly with local communities has proven effective in fostering trust and cooperation.

House Committee on Defence Chairman, Babajimi Benson, reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring the armed forces’ budget is utilized efficiently to enhance operational capacity and deliver measurable security outcomes. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing evolving global and domestic security challenges.