The Nigerian Army has reopened the Umuahia-Mbaise road, which was closed following an attack on a military checkpoint at Ekenobizi last Wednesday. The road reopening comes after a visit by Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu, accompanied by senior military officers.
During the visit, the GOC’s team, alongside Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah, Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Security, decided to relocate the military checkpoint from Ekenobizi to an area near the Onuimo River. The new location offers a clearer view, enhancing security measures .
The relocation was facilitated by the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Ibeakanma, and other community leaders, who acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the road closure. Communities in the area have volunteered to clear the new checkpoint location and pledged to provide information to security operatives to enhance safety.
Commander Ubah urged the public to continue supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in their efforts to tackle insecurity. The Commanding Officer of the 145 Battalion, Umuahia, Major Martin Domkat, and other senior military officers were part of the GOC’s entourage.
This development follows recent tensions in the area after unknown gunmen attacked a military checkpoint, killing two soldiers. The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, had condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unwarranted,” and assured the Army and the public that his administration remains committed to collaborating with security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
