Army deploys Aircraft, Gun Trucks to search Eastern Security Network Camp, Nigerians react

The Nigerian Army has deployed aircraft such as combat helicopters and gun trucks to locate Eastern Security Network camp in some South East forests.

The Eastern Security Network (ESN) was established two weeks ago by the British Nigerian Biafra political activist and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The Army said the establishment of ESN could become a regional security threat since the South-East governors dissociated themselves from the outfit.

According to SaharaReporters, the military search has been ongoing for days, and has no time frame, as the army was acting on “orders from above.”

From the drones and hidden cameras believed to be installed by the ESN, a video captured the Nigerian Army helicopters and their vehicles and soldiers searching for the camp of the ESN to make arrests.

Kanu, a leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, on December 12, launched the ESN, saying the regional security outfit, just like Amotekun in the South-West, would help tackle crime.

“The Nigerian Army that is supposed to fight Boko Haram were seen everywhere searching for the camp of Eastern Security Network team. But they forgot they are dealing with sophisticated men. There are cameras and drones everywhere watching them,” an official told Saharareporters.

“If the Nigerian Armed Forces attack the ESN, the people of Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt, and the South-West must use that opportunity to flush out the Fulanis in their region. The Nigerian Army will disintegrate, and all will be free,” another aggrieved official added.

Two days after Kanu launched the ESN, the Yoruba’s socio-cultural group, Afenifere, lent its support, noting that Nigeria must embrace regional policing as the only remedy to insecurity.

The Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with SaharaReporters, had stated this, adding that the distorted federal police could no longer secure the country; hence the establishment of regional security outfits to protect lives and property.

He said, “It is seen that the central policing in Nigeria has collapsed, and the regional policing is not a new thing in this country. And, I tell you, we are back to the era of regional policing.

“The security challenges have gone beyond what the Nigeria police can handle, and since we have had regional policing before, we are back into the era again.”

When asked if this is commendable and needed, he said, “Kanu is doing what is good for his region.”

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Sagir Musa, could not be reached for comments on the deployment of the aircraft.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have criticised the Nigerian Army for deploying aircraft and gun trucks to locate Nnamdi Kanu’s Eastern Security Network camp, saying it was a misplaced priority in the security challenges facing the country.

On Twitter, several Nigerians believed that the military action was a misplaced priority and such enthusiasm and energy were not seen in the North-East against the Boko Haram terrorists nor against the bandits in the North-West.

@oluyounggeneral wrote, “Equipment is available to search for them but when it comes to BH and bandits, the equipment is suddenly inadequate, Government what, Government magic…”

@adeologo_dire wrote, “There is no peace for the wicked. They have not killed anybody or demanded ransom for kidnap but you are vigorously searching for them. Just remember God hid David, Saul & his mighty army couldn’t find him.”

Felix Anineh (@FelixAnineh) wrote: “A wrong line of action. The men in the North-East region fighting insurgency need the aircraft and other heavy weapons to expunge the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists even with their outcry of being poorly equipped to fight, yet draft more men to the peaceful eastern region.”

@fannyb_esta wrote, “Where are all this equipment to search for Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers? The North wants to use the military to keep other regions subservient. If others also have access to weapons and heavy artillery, this country will collapse o, they think they have a monopoly of violence.”

Also, on Facebook, a number of Nigerians disagreed with the military action.

For instance, Polycarp Danaan said, “I expected these arsenals and military facilities to be moved to my dear northern region to fight insurgency, kidnapping and banditry… It is one out of many misplaced priorities of this government.”

Naomi Enogela said, “If this effort was made towards capturing Boko Haram demons, then it would have been a huge success for the Nigerian army. Let everyone secure their region; it would be better.”

Ajose Adewale said, “I think Nigerian government is consciously in support of what is happening in the North. It’s not a misplacement of priority, but a deliberate act.”

Joseph Tecux Jacob said, “If this piece of information is true, then this is so senseless and biased. Though coming from a failed government such as we have currently is no longer a surprise. But why go after them and leave Amotekun?”

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