Biafra: Army launches operation in S’East (Python Dance II)

The Nigerian Army on Friday disclosed it readiness to launch an operation in the five South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

Major General D.D Ahmadu, Chief of Training and Operations, who made the disclosure in a text yesterday, said the exercise code-named “Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II), “has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attack on security personnel, theft of weapons, armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism and violent agitations, as well as other security challenges that have recently become prevalent in the South Eastpart of the country.”

Ahmadu, who gave September 15 as the commencement date for the operation, further disclosed that other security agencies such as the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), would be involved in the operation, which is expected to end on October 14.

Recalled that the Army had, in the wake of last year’s pro-Biafra protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), launched an exercise, Operation Python Dance.

The development had triggered protests from some individuals and groups in the South East, who had argued against its propriety.

However, Ahmadu, while announcing the planned exercise within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility, said: “As you are all aware, the Nigerian Army is constantly carrying out training activities for its personnel in line with its constitutional role in aid of civil authority.

The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and to imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility in aid of civil authority calls for this exercise. 

Also, in actualising the COAS vision, which is “To have a professionally responsive NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles”, accentuates the call for the conduct of this exercise in conjunction with other security agencies.

This operation will be conducted with the involvement of other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the despicable activities of the marauding criminals perpetrating criminal acts in the region and its environs.”

Meanwhile, the Army has said that the planned operation will later metamorphose into an enduring one, in a bid to enhance operational skills of personnel. According to the Chief of Training and Operations: “…

Operation Egwu Eke II is also conceptualised to transit into real time operations thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called upon.”