The movement of artillery by the Nigerian Army within Owerri, the Imo State capital and adjoining towns have rattled residents.
The movement follows the disclosure by the Army that its 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) will be held in Owerri, Imo State.
The celebration of the 159 years of the army’s existence has as its theme, ‘Repositioning the Nigerian Army in the Joint Operations Environment: A Panacea for Success in Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges’.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya said the programme would begin on Thursday with just prayers in all army formations and units.
Yahaya, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj-Gen Anthony Omozoje, said the COAS’ team would visit Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma before commissioning civil-military cooperation projects at Obinze Community and barracks in the state.
Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said IPOB’s activities could not deter the army from holding the celebration in the South East.
He recalled that at the peak of the Boko Haram attacks, the army’s past celebrations were held in Monguno, Borno State.
Nwachukwu said: “The South-East zone is part of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Army Day Celebration is usually celebrated or held in any part of Nigeria. So, the South-East zone is not an exemption.”
Residents, however, expressed concerns over the movement of heavy artillery within the city for the celebration, stressing that the army looks like it was spoiling for war.
