On Tuesday, January 14, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa shared that tension in the Southeast has decreased significantly since the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Biafra agitator. Musa made the remarks while discussing the 2025 budget with the House of Representatives Committee on Defence.
He explained that Ekpa’s arrest has played a big role in calming the region, and also mentioned that the sit-at-home protests, which have been a major issue in the Southeast, are slowly fading away.
Musa said, “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also, with Operation Udoka, we’re picking up most of the leadership involved, removing them, and ensuring the area remains peaceful.”
He added, “The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We’re also working with political leaders there because, as I’ve always said, we need local support. Without it, it’s difficult. The terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”
The Defence Chief also highlighted that security forces were able to maintain peace during the Christmas holiday, thanks to careful planning and proactive efforts.
Musa emphasized that the military is focused on non-violent strategies to improve security in the region, saying, “We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened, and we intend to continue doing more. We encourage joint operations and cooperation in our efforts.”
