The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a key figure in the Southeast’s sit-at-home unrest, has led to a significant reduction in tensions in the region. Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to defend the 2025 budget on Tuesday, General Musa highlighted the ongoing success of Operation Udoka, a military initiative aimed at restoring peace in the Southeast.
“With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension,” said General Musa. “Additionally, with Operation Udoka, we’re picking up most of the leadership in the area, taking them out, and ensuring that peace is restored.”
The military operation, which has focused on dismantling insurgent leadership in the region, is proving effective in curbing the Monday sit-at-home protests that have plagued the Southeast. General Musa noted that the disruptive protests are “gradually diminishing” as a result of the operations and efforts to engage with local political leaders.
“We’re also working with the political leaders there because we understand that local support is crucial to resolving the issue,” he added. “Without it’s difficult. The terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”
General Musa also praised the efforts of security agencies, particularly during the Christmas holiday period, where proactive measures were taken to ensure relative peace across the country. “We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened, and we intend to continue doing more,” he said.
The CDS reiterated the military’s commitment to non-kinetic approaches, including collaboration and synergy with local communities, in resolving security challenges. “What we try to encourage is jointness and synergy in our operations,” he added, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in tackling security issues in the region.
As the military continues its efforts to stabilize the Southeast, General Musa expressed confidence that peace would continue to improve in the coming months.
