By Reportcircle Abuja
The Nigerian Army has moved swiftly to crush fresh attempts by criminal elements to impose fear and economic paralysis on the South East, declaring the region fully open, secure and operating normally despite a viral fake “sit-at-home” order circulating online.
In a strongly worded public notice issued on Thursday, the 82 Division Nigerian Army warned that the threat message pushed by faceless actors was crafted solely to sow panic, undermine government authority and derail the significant security gains recorded in the region over the past year.
According to the Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in a press statement, the message is the latest attempt by outlawed groups to resurrect the fear-driven lockdowns that once strangled business activity, crippled transportation and endangered lives across the South East.
She said the public should dismiss the message as “baseless propaganda” with no operational capacity behind it.
“No illegal order will disrupt the peace and freedom of law-abiding citizens,” he said. “The South East remains open for business today, 20 November 2025, and beyond.”
The Army confirmed it has activated a robust, multi-agency security plan across all five states of the region in partnership with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies. Troops are deployed to protect:
Lives and property
Key economic corridors
Transportation networks
Critical infrastructure
The joint deployment, Ayeni said, is designed to neutralise any attempt at violence, sabotage or coercion.
The Army stressed that residents are free to move, trade and conduct their lawful activities without fear, insisting that the era of fear-induced stay-at-home enforcement in the South East is over.
“Economic activities will thrive. Peaceful coexistence is guaranteed,” the statement read.
Authorities urged the public to disregard messages of intimidation circulated by groups whose “only aim is to create panic for selfish interests.”
Citizens were encouraged to remain calm, vigilant and report suspicious activity. “If you see something, say something,” the Army advised.
The Army issued a final warning to those hoping to enforce the fake order, making clear that any attempt to take the law into one’s hands will be met with decisive lawful force.
As the workday progressed across the region with business as usual, security analysts noted that the Army’s immediate and firm response reflects a new doctrine of zero tolerance for psychological warfare and economic sabotage in the South East.
