Defence Minister, Uzodimma assure security for Igbo diaspora ahead yuletide
By Kunle Sanni
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, have assured Igbo in the diaspora of their safety during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.
The assurance comes as preparations heighten to welcome Nigerians returning home for the celebrations.
The two leaders, along with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Major General Taiwo Dada, provided the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Defence Minister and top military officials to Governor Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri. This visit followed a South-East security stakeholders meeting held in Enugu over the weekend.
Defence Minister Abubakar noted that the visit was part of an operational tour to assess military readiness in the South-East. He assured returning diaspora citizens that troops were prepared to ensure their safety throughout the holiday season.
“Igbos who wish to come home from different parts of the world for the yuletide should feel free and come home. Our men are on the ground, on alert, and will do their best to protect them,” Abubakar said.
He added that security stakeholders in the South-East had extensively deliberated on improving security, including exploring non-kinetic methods to address underlying issues.
Governor Uzodimma echoed the Defence Minister’s reassurances, affirming his administration’s readiness to secure lives and property during the festive season.
“Our security agents are prepared and well-equipped. We will continue to support them to ensure that our people go about their businesses without fear of molestation,” Uzodimma stated.
The Governor expressed optimism about the progress in tackling insecurity in the region, saying, “We are close to the end of the tunnel as regards insecurity. Issues of banditry, insurgency, and criminality will soon become things of the past.”
Uzodimma lauded the Defence Minister for his leadership and commended the military for its consistent support to Imo State, noting that significant progress had been made in overcoming security challenges.
Major General Taiwo Dada assured that the Armed Forces in the South-East are fully committed to ensuring a peaceful Yuletide, similar to last year’s celebrations.
“When we came on board, we employed lots of kinetic approaches. However, based on the outcomes of our recent meeting, we will now explore non-kinetic strategies by engaging youths, women, civil society members, and other stakeholders in finding lasting solutions to insecurity,” he explained.
The GOC also urged armed youths in the region to surrender their weapons and embrace the olive branch extended by the government.
He emphasized the importance of restoring Igboland as a peaceful area where youths can thrive and contribute to societal growth.
The visit also included Imo State’s Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Senator Patrick Ndubueze (representing Okigwe Zone), Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, and other senior government officials.
