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Tag: Operation Python Dance

  • Buratai flags off Operation Python Dance in Kebbi

    The Emir of Gwandu and the chairman Kebbi state council of chiefs, Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar has commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai for their role in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    The royal father made the commendation when he received the chief of Army Staff who paid him homage at his palace ahead of the Flag off of operation Python Dance in Kebbi state.

    The Emir expressed his delight with the visit commending the army for serving the country diligently.

    He said:” I am happy that you are doing your best with absolute efficiency to defend the nation, Nigeria is lucky to have you as soldiers”. Keep the good work going said the emir.

    In a related development the Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu has earlier commended the military for their sacrifice in keeping Nigeria safe and secure.

    Read Also: Fake News may cause 3rd world War- Soyinka

    Bagudu who also received the chief of Army Staff and his entourage at Government House Birnin Kebbi on a courtesy visit extolled the good qualities of lieutenant General Tukur Burutai and his professional conduct in the military.

    He thanked the army for helping the state in its infrastructural development and establishment of two command secondary schools in the state. Bagudu explain further that

    ”The establishment of two army command secondary schools for boys and girls in the state shows the level of cooperation between the army and the state government”” Bagudu also condoled the army for the loss of lives of its personnel in combat operations across the country while assuring them of the support of his administration at all time.

  • Python dance III: Be professional, Southeast govs tells Army

    The South East Governors Forum has called on officers and men of the Nigerian Army to be professional in the execution of their duties under the Operation Python Dance III in the zone.

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, who is the Chairman of the forum, gave the charge in Abakaliki, while receiving the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Abubakar Maikobi.

    Umahi charged the army to be professional, to win the confidence of the people in the face of heightened tension, occasioned by the 2019 general elections.

    “The south east zone has been greatly troubled by the army’s presence, especially with its clash with members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    “The army should therefore remain neutral and maintain a high level of professionalism in the discharge of its duties while the operation lasts,” he said.

    The governor urged the military to evolve workable policies that would earn the confidence of the zone and remain neutral in the coming elections.

    “The zone will not have problems with any place the army chooses to establish its operational headquarters as long as it maintains its professional mandate of protecting the people.

    “Ebonyi, and indeed the entire South East, will resist with vigour, any attempt to rig during the elections, using security agencies as tools.

    “The only way Nigeria will exist beyond 2019 is for credible elections to hold where all security agencies would be seen to be neutral,” he said.

    Maikobi in his response, said he was in the state to familiarise with the government, the people, the state and zone as well as inform the governor of plans to commence the operation.

    “I have been mandated by the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) to inform you as the state’s security officer, that the exercise would commence from Jan.1 and last till Feb. 28.

    “We have selected Ebonyi, under your purposeful leadership as the location for the step-up headquarters for the exercise,” he said.

    The GOC assured the governor that the army would remain neutral, professional and totally apolitical, while not compromising on its constitutional roles, under any guise,” he said. (NAN)

  • Lagos Lawyer asks court to stop “Operation Python Dance”

     

    A Lagos-based Rights Campaingner, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, on Wednesday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja declare as unlawful and unconstitutional, the declaration of “Operation Python Dance” across the nation.

    The applicants in the suit labelled FHC/ABJ/CS/01/2019, are Omirhobo and Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcom Omirhobo Foundation.

    Joined as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, The National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Council, Police Affairs Commission as well as the various Nigerian Service Chiefs.

    The applicant is seeking the court’s declaration that the commencement of a nationwide “Operation Python Dance” with effect from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, with the military to tackle internal security challenges during the conduct of the country’s general elections is illegal and undemocratic.

    According to him, it violates the fundamental rights of the applicant, as well as those of the Nigerian public, to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, family and private life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement.

    The applicant wants the court to declare that it is the primary responsibility of the police force to tackle internal security challenges such as kidnapping, terrorism, millitancy and proliferation of arms, and not that of the Armed Forces or military.

    He seeks a declaration that the use of the military to perform the functions of the Police in the conduct of the 2019 elections is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

    The applicant, is therefore, seeking a court’s order, compelling the respondents to respect the fundamental rights of the applicant as well as those of Nigerians, by allowing the Police Force to perform its statutory role of enforcement and maintenance of law and order.

    He seeks an order that the respondent clears off the military from the public spheres and stops forthwith, the use of “Operation Python Dance” in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Omirhobo also wants an order compelling the police to take charge of the enforcement and maintenance of law and order in their various commands, before, during, and even after the general elections.

    Besides, the applicant seeks an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from using the military to perform the duties of the police, in the enforcement and maintenance of law and order, before, during, and after the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    He seeks an order, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, and those of the Nigerian public, to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, as well as private and family life.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

  • Southeast rejects proposed Python Dance 3

    Reactions are trailing the proposed launch of Operation Python Dance 3 in Southeast.

    Ex-Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Idemili, Anambra State, Ben Okoko, described the exercise as a waste of funds.

    Okoko, who addressed reporters yesterday at his law chambers in Nkpor, said the exercise showed the military’s incompetence in internal affairs.

    He noted that the military has come of age and should shift from using muscle to intelligence gathering and under-cover operations.

    Okoko said: “To announce to the world that you will be having Operation Python Dance or Snake Dance is to say the least, letting the cat out of the bag, as such activities would definitely bring the military into direct confrontation with the civilians they should protect.

    “Previous outings of these operations have resulted in huge casualties on civilians. There have been instances where military might have been required, but they failed woefully. The resources they are trying to put on ground for Operation Python Dance III, if channelled to flash points of the country, where insecurity is at its highest, would send a nunc dimitis to the sects and get them eradicated.

    “It will amount to adding salt to injury for the military to come to the Southeast under the guise of Operation Python Dance 3, where the population is already saturated with heavy police presence in peace time.”

    General Overseer, Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministry, Nnewi, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh, warned that any one fronting such a move is making a mockery of the Igbo.

    He said: “The Southeast and its people do not need anything called Operation Python Dance; it should be sent to areas where insecurity is rife.”

  • Operation python dance: Igbos march to Villa to commend Buhari

    Operation python dance: Igbos march to Villa to commend Buhari

    Several Igbo sons and daughters early this morning marched to the Presidential villa for eulogize the efforts of the Federal Government for introducing the operation python dance to tackle insecurity in the South East.

    The exercise, the group said has helped to maintain peace and unity in the South East.

    The group under the aegis of the Igbo People of Nigeria, IPON carried several banners with inscriptions such as Igbo kwenu, Buhari kwenu, we appreciate the Nigerian Army among others and numbering over a thousand persons danced with joy to the Presidential villa gate.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Chief Uche Chegwo who led the march said the ibo people wil forever be greatful to President Buhari and the Nigerian Army.

    He said, ” Like other patriotic persons from the other ethnic groups, members of IPON have strong faith in the unity of Nigeria and a strong belief that we are stronger together and that we stand to gain more as one strong, united and indivisible entity as opposed to being fragmented into little statelets and micro-nations that are unable to take on the corporate vampires of the world.

    “That said Mr President, we want to commend your recent engagements with our leaders from the south-east; while these interactions are described as coming late in some quarters, we see the very fact that they are taking place as a confirmation that you are a leader who respond to citizens’ demand. We believe that the promises made to our leaders during their recent meetings with you would begin to translate into actions and concrete results in the days ahead.

    “We want to point out from our own side that the visit of our leaders to Your Excellency should eradicate any doubts as to where the loyalty and allegiance of Igbo people lie. We are resolutely behind your government even as we categorically affirm that we have no animosity towards state institutions. We cannot and must not be defined by a minority that is vocal and violent – the hatred advanced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their sympathizers is not Igbo and should not be used as a basis for defining us as a people. The other ethnic groups in the country, among who we co-habit as fellow Nigerians, attest daily to the humility and tolerant nature of the Igbo.
    “These merchants of hate have strived to create the impression that the only presence the Federal Government have in Igboland is destructive even as they wrongly cast the Operation Python Dance II by the Nigerian Army as of such negative developments. Mr President, we of Igbo People for Nigeria want to report differently.

    “It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army through its Operation Python Dance in 2016 to rid Igboland of kidnappers and bandits for many of us to again dare setting foot on our ancestral land after several years for fear of being robbed, abducted or killed by hoodlums. Prior to your administration, a lot of our sons and daughters travel all the way from abroad and stay in Lagos and Abuja to celebrate the Yuletide without daring to set foot on the soil of our towns and villages. Operation Python Dance (I) changed that last year as we again breathed fresh air in places of our birth.

    “Unfortunately, crime has the tendency to mutate. Many of these criminals that were exposed and flushed out during the operation by the Army regrouped under IPOB in order to cash in on the agitation for fairer treatment of the Igbo. They again reintroduced kidnappings, robberies and assassinations, which we reliably gathered were sources of funding for their secession agitation. In addition to these violent crimes, they also raped women and extorted traders while intimidating the wider populace and disappearing anyone that refuses to join them or questions their excesses.

    “We were therefore elated when the Army launched Operation Python Dance II, which was an appropriate response to the security situation in the south east that was already becoming a killing field as a result of IPOB and other criminal elements who had overran the entire place. Mr President, we want you and your able aides to listen beyond the strident propaganda of those futilely defending the criminality of IPOB; the genuine population of Igbos in the southeast and beyond are happy that these terrorists have been curtailed. May we use this opportunity to laud your administration over the designation of IPOB as a terrorist group and call on the relevant institutions to arrest and prosecute anyone who goes out in the name of IPOB or its affiliate organizations to torment any citizen of the great Federal Republic of Nigeria under your peace.
    “These agents of darkness who out to discredit us peace loving people have vowed never to stop but we know Mr. President that your antecedent in this area speaks louder for your capacity and the military to bring them to justice. The desperation of these destroyers can be seen in how they circulated fake stories that soldiers were forcefully injecting school children with killer virus in the attempt to discredit the Medical Outreach facilitated by the Nigerian Army. Even though they trended their fake stories on social media platforms, it was soon evident that the reasoning behind the fake story was as flawed and as dangerous as the salt bath and salt solution drink hoax at the height of the Ebola crisis. It was soon proven that the Medical Outreach did not even hold in schools but in churches and palaces of traditional rulers that endorsed it wholesale.

    “Mr President, while thanking you for your interest in the south-east, we crave your indulgence to help convey our gratitude to the Nigerian Army for the roles they have played in ridding our states of criminals. Our hope is that Your Excellency would take our gratitude as a vote of confidence on the Nigerian Army. Their operation and the relationship they enjoy with the peace-loving population of our area has been very cordial and humane in every ramification. We appreciate the various humanitarian supports that accompany their operations which make it a double-faced sword for law abiding citizens and criminals at the same time. On this note, we assure you of maximum cooperation by the people of the region.

    “May we further appeal that you use your position as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to direct the Nigerian Army to make Operation Python Dance an annual exercise based on the positive impacts it has been able to achieve for the two times it has held. This will also secure the region from secessionists that are attempting to set up a Boko Haram-styled enclave there.

    “Your excellency is further appealed to not to forget the promises made to our leaders that you have met with as we see the fulfilment of these promises going a long way to dismiss the lies that terrorists and secessionists are telling to the people”he said.

  • Igbo leaders condemn Operation Python Dance

    Igbo leaders condemn Operation Python Dance

    The Prof Ben Nwabueze-led Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) yesterday condemned the invasion of the Southeast by the military through the “so-called Operation Python Dance II and the humiliation and attendant killings by the Army”.

    In a communique signed by Nwabueze after its meeting in Enugu, ILT called for immediate withdrawal of Python Dance and Operation Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta region.

    The group reminded Nigerians that the greater problem facing the nation was the unresolved national question.

    It expressed the resolve to stand by the Ibadan Declaration of September 7, insisting on the powers of the Federal Government to be reduced below what they were under the 1963 Constitution.

    ILT noted and “warmly commends the communique by the Southsouth, Southeast, Southwest and the Middle Belt coalition of their Abuja meeting on Thursday, October 5”.

    The communique added: “The ILT demands on early convocation of a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution anchored on true federalism and regional autonomy affirmed through a referendum.

    “ILT condemns the proscription of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation because it is not there under the extant national and international laws.

    “The ILT calls for a thorough investigation into the allegation by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Dr Ibe Kachikwu) against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for insubordination and by-passing the board of the corporation.

    “Finally, the ILT would like to reiterate, for emphasis, the support for the widespread clamour in the country for restructuring.”

     

  • Soldiers raid kidnappers den in Abia

    Soldiers raid kidnappers den in Abia

    • arrest three suspects

    Soldiers of Sector 1 of the ongoing Operation Python Dance in Abia State have raided a kidnappers’ den at Ohanze in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

    The soldiers also arrested three suspected members of the gang; Okezie Nwaobilor, Arinze Ugiri and Michael Sunday, while Mr. Monday Benson, an abducted victim was said to have been rescued by the soldiers during the raid.

    A release by the 82Division Headquarters of Nigerian Army Public Relations Officer, Col. Musa Sagir stated that the suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police after initial questioning for continuation of investigation and possible prosecution.

    According to the release, troops of Sector 4 on a tip off, raided a criminal hideout at Obinze community general area and arrested 17 suspected criminals and recovered items which include 3 locally made pistols, 5 Dane guns and 15 rounds of various calibers of ammunition. Other items recovered were local charms and 7 wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

    The release further stated that troops of Sector 4 in conjunction with the Nigeria Police also raided a criminal den at Ukukwa North Local Government Area of Anambra State where they arrested 7 suspected criminals and recovered 4 locally made pistols, 420 live cartridges, about 50kg of Cannabis and some Charms.

    The suspects and the items were said to have been handed over to the Nigeria Police for necessary actions to be taken.

    The release added that troops of Sector 2, based on intelligence conducted 2 raid operations on suspected cultists’ shrines at Awara and Assa communities of Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State where10 suspected cult members were arrested and had since been transferred to the Nigeria Police after preliminary investigation.

    Part of the release read “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 stabilized. 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 terrorists’ 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.

    “The Nigerian Army encourages the residents of the states to be vigilant of any suspicious activities and has provided contact details for the public should they possess any vital information regarding the exercise.”

  • Operation Python Dance: Army keeps mum on Kanu’s whereabouts

    Operation Python Dance: Army keeps mum on Kanu’s whereabouts

    The Nigerian Army said on Friday it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East, while clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.

    However, the army was silent on the whereabouts of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was said to be on the run after troops laid siege on his compound in Aba, Abia state.

    Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army said activities of kidnappers and other criminals have also been checkmated while several people have been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa,  reassured the public that the army was ready to maintain peace and order in the entire South East.

    The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday, 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, 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-East 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 (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are all synergizing and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives. Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services.

    “The first was on Tuesday, 18th September 2017 at the Adult Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major Gen. David Ahmadu and other senior Army Officers, were personally present at the commencement of the free medical outreach.

    “The turnout was impressive, as over 2,000 people benefited in the areas of dental, optometry, laboratory services and blood pressure measurements. Others were dispensing of eye glasses, de-worming tablets, assorted drugs, mosquito nets and sanitizer to various categories of people. In the same vein, similar medical outreach will be conducted at Nnarambia community Central Primary School, Ahiara Mbaise in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State on 23rd September 2017 as part of the activities of Exercise EGWU EKE II.

    “The Division has also scheduled similar free medical outreaches in other states covering its area of responsibility during the exercise. Furthermore, in addition to visiting the Operational Headquarters of Sector 5 of Exercise EGWU EKE II, at 24 Support Engineering Regiment, Abakaliki, the Chief of Army Staff also visited the Step-Up Headquarters of 82 Division at the Nigerian Army Language Institute, Ovim, in Isiuokwuato LGA of Abia State.

    “So far, the troops have been carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other supporting Services and agencies. Some suspected criminals were arrested, farmers-herdsmen as well as communal clashes have been averted. Similarly, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids and manning of checkpoints.”

     

  • ‘Operation Python Dance to be annual event’

    ‘Operation Python Dance to be annual event’

    Abia state deputy Governor Ude Okochukwu has said that the “Operation Python Dance” being carried out in the state and other parts of the Southeast by soldiers would be an annual event in the region.

    Okochukwu was speaking at the end of a tour of facilities and monitoring of the progress of the Python Dance II exercise at the Nigerian Army Language Institute (NALI) at Ovim, Isiukwuato Local Government Area of the state.

    The deputy governor was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai and other senior military officers.

    He said  the exercise in the state was meant to tackle the farmers and herdsmen crisis, armed robbery and other related crimes.

    According to the deputy governor, Abia would benefit from the exercise in the long run, stressing that the benefits of the Operation Python Dance II cannot be overemphasised.

    “I want to thank the Nigerian Army for this wonderful exercise. I want to tell all Abians and Nigerians, especially those of us from Abia that this exercise is not new to us. Last year we had it and in the last year’s own, we were able to tackle some security lapses in the state. At the end of it all, Abia State was better for it security-wise. So I want all Abians to know that this exercise is not targeted at civilians; it’s just a routine exercise soldiers do to tackle security issues that are prevalent in this area; like the issue of herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, robbery, etc. Like a state like Abia that has boundary with about seven states we have boundary issues and some of this boundary issues they’ll handle it. I want everyone to know that the soldiers mean well.”

    Several efforts by journalists to have the reaction of Lt.-Gen. Buratai on the visit and inspection of NALI and ongoing Egwueke exercise in the state failed as the Director of Army Public Public Relations, Brigadier General Usman Sani and his deputy, Col. Musa Sagir (82 Division’s spokesman) barred them (journalists) from speaking with their boss (Buratai).

    Former chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) in his speech said “I am glad that Chief of Army Staff has find time to inspect these facilities and make sure we achieve the reason for establishing it. I am sure that it is not everybody that knows and appreciate that Nigeria is a country bordered by many French speaking countries. It’s on record that even though these facilities were ready as at January 2014 when I left office, it didn’t kick off until General Burutai became the Chief of Army Staff. So, I want to thank the chief of army staff for making it possible for us to have strong armed forces that’s capable of protecting all it borders during peace program.”

    Recall that the phase II of the Egwueke exercise took off in the state officially at the 14Brigade Tactical Headquarters in Umuahia, the State capital with some representatives of Abia State government and heads of sister security agencies in attendance.

     

  • Soyinka cautions army on Operation Python Dance

    Soyinka cautions army on Operation Python Dance

    The Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Wednesday urged the Nigerian Army to be cautious in its activities following the declaration of Operations Python Dance and Crocodile Smile in some parts of the country.

    Soyinka made the call during his address at a press conference marking the 50th anniversary of the death of a poet, Christopher Okigbo.

    The event took place at the University of Ibadan.

    Okigbo died while fighting on the Biafran side during the Nigerian civil war in 1967

    Soyinka lamented that humiliation and dehumanisation of the civil populace by military was beginning to creep back into the nation.

    He urged the Federal Government and the military authorities to tread with caution while dealing with civilians.

    He said: “There has to be a way out of a repeat of war. But we are reaching a stage whereby, like Christopher Okigbo, people are putting their lives on the line again, which can lead to terrible consequences.

    “I think at a time when cattle rearers, who feel they own the nation, humiliate and dehumanise innocent citizens in their communities, this is an area the military can focus more on.”