Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Thursday launched ‘Exercise Golden Dawn II’ ahead of this year’s yuletide festivities in the state.
Performing the flag off in Orlu, Gov Uzodimma disclosed that this year’s Exercise Golden Dawn II of the Nigerian Army will last from October 4, 2022 to January 4, 2023.
He enjoined indigenes and residents of the state to cooperate with the security agencies deployed to the state to keep the peace and maintain law and order.
The governor said the operation became necessary because the yuletide is a period that all “our beloved brothers and sisters return home to celebrate the festive period with us.”
“It is therefore the time that we need to put all security measures in place so as to have uninterrupted celebrations”.
The governor added that;”this exercise will go a long way in improving the security situation in our state and entire geo-political zone, giving our people a sense of security and encouraging our brothers and sisters to return home without fear.”
Governor Uzodimma said we do not have any other home than Imo State, “that is why we have invested a lot in security architecture of the state.”
He regretted that “Imo State today is being faced with security issues ranging from armed banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal oil bunkering among others,” noting that the security situation in the state did not start now and that the situation is fast improving.
The governor appealed to those involved in criminality in the state to have a rethink and do a detour as doing so will benefit them more than delving into acts they may not know the greater implications to their future and to the society.
Governor Uzodimma assured the security agencies that his government will continue to support them within available resources and capacity to discharge their constitutional obligations to the citizens.
In his remarks, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Brig. General S. Suileman, said the exercise was started last year, adding that the Thursday’s flag-off is the second edition in the series.
Suileman said relative peace was achieved in Imo last year with the operation, pointing out that this year’s own will be an improvement on the maiden edition.
He thanked the governor for the support that made the 2021 operation a success and solicited similar support for this year’s event.
The high point of the event was the inspection of the facilities of the army in readiness for the operation
