Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has inaugurated “Exercise Golden Dawn III,” a military operation designed to improve security in the state during the Yuletide season.
Uzodinma, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, on Friday, said the exercise was intended to checkmate a probable increase in crime during the Yuletide “with an increased focus on the security of lives and property.”

He commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the entire Army for their arduous efforts, which “have resulted in a drastic reduction of criminality in the state.”

He expressed optimism about the exercise’s effectiveness, commending the people for their efforts to develop and maintain peace in the state while asking them to keep the spirit alive.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, stressed the importance of effective engagement with sister security agencies as well as civil-military cooperation for the success of the exercise.

Dada stated that the exercise would take place throughout all of the division’s Areas of Responsibility, encompassing the five Southeast states, from December 1 to January 5, 2024.