Army: We’ve Stabilised South-east Despite Intense Opposition from IPOB, Sympathisers

The Nigerian Army yesterday said the South-east was now more stabilised than before notwithstanding the intense opposition to its Operation Python Dance 11, also known as Operation Egwu Eke II, which is ongoing in the region. 

In a related development, the Army has said that it would embark on more operations like Operation Python Dance to tackle rising cases of insecurity and crime across the country.

This came as the military explained that it decided to embark on Operations Python Dance 11 and Crocodile Smile 11 in the South-east and South-south geopolitical zones of the country in order to tackle rising challenges of militancy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism.

 In a swift reaction however, the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) kicked against the action and urged the military to reconsider the plan “in the interest of peace existing in the Niger Delta region.”

It also emerged yesterday that IPOB had challenged it’s proscription by the federal government and labeling as a terrorist organization. 

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Col. Sagir Musa in a statement yesterday, explained that with Operation Python Dance 11, the influence of the Indigenous People of Biafra within the zone had been drastically curtailed.  

He said: “Despite the initial opposition to Exercise Egwu Eke II by the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra members and their sympathizers and unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South- east especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilised.  

“The usual violent activities of the outlawed Biafra “National Guards” (manning check points and extorting money from traders and motorists) have now been checkmated.  

“Similarly, the outlawed Biafra terrorist group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance. 

“The 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the public that it is poised to maintaining the peace and security in the entire South-eastern region.  

“Members of the public are please requested to cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and passing credible information to the nearest security check point or call 193 and the various Sector Commanders’ telephone numbers that were earlier made public,” Musa stated.  

He also gave account and update on the operation, stating that “simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River States without hitch. 

“The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-eastern region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers- herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.

 One interesting aspect of the exercise is that, it is multi-agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Immigration Service are all synergizing and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives. 

Expect more Operation Python Dance across the nation

The Army has said that it would embark on more operations like Python Dance and Crocodile Smile to tackle rising cases of insecurity and crime across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this while speaking at the executive session of the on-going 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Port Harcourt, said the on-going “Operation Mesa” in states in the North and the Middle Belt was aimed at tackling challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen-farmers clashes and kidnapping. 

Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Enobong Udoh, said the exercises were aimed at focusing the personnel to relative professional scenarios as against stimulated training sessions.