Tuesday, 18 May 2021: The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday flagged-off “Operation Restore Peace (RP)” which is a new special operational action plan for the stabilization of security order in the South-East geopolitical zone of the country.

The IGP flagged-off the special operation at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, as part of efforts targeted at returning the South-Eastern region to its historical place of pride where its people are known to be peaceful, tolerant, innovative, industrious and entrepreneurial.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relation officer, CP Frank Mba, activities of the IPOB in the region have assumed an armed dimension in which important political and community leaders as well as personnel and assets of the Nigeria Police, Military and other security agencies, critical national infrastructure are being constantly targeted in clearly well-coordinated, premeditated manners. This is in addition to deepening inter-ethnic prejudice and intolerance, unjustifiable inter-ethnic violence and counter-violence, loss of lives and massive destruction of properties.

The IGP noted that the special operation has become necessary to engender all-inclusive security actions to roll-back the murderous attacks, violence, proliferation of weapons and other threats to law and order occasioned by the separatist agenda being heightened by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East region.

The IGP, while appreciating the individual and collective efforts of all the South-East governors and other critical stakeholders in the region towards supporting the Police in restoring security and strengthening national unity, assured the nation, that in the coming days the special operation will be extended to other parts of the South-East region to confront criminal elements, take the battle to their doorsteps and re-order our cherished national values in the region.

He added that the  ‘Operation RP’ will be replicated in other parts of the country, to address peculiar crimes including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, amongst others.

Meanwhile, the IGP thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for approving the special operation and providing the support needed to fully achieve the objects of the special operation.

He solicits the full support of the civil populace, particularly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth associations, market bodies, cultural associations and professionals adding that with the support of all strategic stakeholders, the operation will in due course, change the current security narratives in the South-Eastern region for good.