The Nigerian Army has reopened the Umuokpara-Onuimo Road for public use after days of restriction, following the attack on three of its personnel last week by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
Addressing newsmen after conducting the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division, Enugu, Major General H.T. Dada and his team, comprising the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya and other senior military officers round the scene of incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on security matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd), said the team also resolved to relocate the military checkpoint closer to the Onuimo River for a clearer view.
Ubah noted that the location where the military personnel mounted the checkpoint initially was a built-up area, which made it difficult for the military to exercise freedom of movement to repel the attack, adding that the traditional ruler of Ezeleke autonomous community, Eze Ibeakanma and other community leaders have shown cooperation with the military to enable them to relocate because of the inconvenience the road closure has caused them.
According to Ubah, the communities in the area have volunteered to start clearing the new location, as well as volunteer information, as security is everybody’s business.
The Commanding Officer, 145 Battalion, Umuahia, Major Martin Domkat and other senior military officers were part of the GOC’s entourage.