Awka—THE Nigerian
Army, yesterday, began a security operation code-named Exercise Python Dance,
in the five South-East states as part of efforts to ensure a hitch-free
Yuletide period, with a warning to groups in the area that they would be the
target if they foment trouble during the period.
Visible signs of
the operation were already in place in Anambra State yesterday, as its step-up
headquarters located at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, was
decorated with Army camouflage.
The one-month
exercise would end on December 27, after which the Army would be on ground to
maintain peace in the various communities in the geo-political zone.
Deputy Director of Army Public Relations of the 82 Division of the Nigerian
Army, Colonel Sagir Musa, told reporters in Awka that the prevalent security
issues such as robbery, kidnapping, abduction, herdsmen-farmers clashes and
violent secessionist attacks, among others, would be the main focus of the
exercise.
Essentially, he
said that any group that threatened the security of the nation in the zone
would be disarmed, adding that the exercise became necessary because of the
rise in violent crimes during the yuletide period. Operations Col Musa said
that for the purpose of the exercise, there would be increase in the number of
soldiers and check points in the zone, adding that troops would also be moving
from one point to the other to maintain peace.
He said that after
the exercise, the Army would continue to maintain internal security in line
with the existing joint security task forces in the states, insisting that the
military would not hesitate to apply the rules of engagement to deploy troops
to deal with secessionists as appropriate Musa said:
“It would be
recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, having painstakingly appraised the
myriad of security challenges and scenarios across the country, ordered the
conduct of both command post and field training exercises as a way of enhancing
troops preparedness across the spectrum of contemporary challenges.
“Exercise Python
Dance has been planned for the South-East Region from November 27 to December
27. It will be multi-agency in nature: Nigerian Army and other security
agencies are expected to synergise and collaborate extensively and an elaborate
civil-military cooperation line of operation has been planned during the
exercise. Army’s CSR “
The Nigerian Army
Corps and Services would conduct activities such as medical outreach, repairs
of roads, schools and other infrastructure across the South-East region.
“The Chief of Army
Staff has therefore directed that a contingent of durable mechanism be imbued
in the overall planning and execution of the exercise to achieve a hitch-free
yuletide for the entire region.”
GIS recalls that as part of the Army’s field
training exercises across the country, there had been similar operations in the
North-East, North-West, South-West and Niger Delta. … as IPOB/MASSOB declare
member missing Meanwhile, the pro-Biafra groups have raised alarm over the
safety of one of their members, Livinus Okoli, who disappeared without a trace
three months ago.
Okoli hailed from
Ndiukwuenu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, and was a
social crusader that belonged to IPOB, MASSOB and Civil Liberties Organisation,
CLO. A statement by Johnson Okoro, spokesperson for IPOB/MASSOB, Orumba North
Province, Anambra State, said Okoli was reported missing after he was arrested
and released by security agents for his pro-Biafra activities three months ago.
He noted that
prior to his arrest, Okoli was wrongly accused of being a ‘terrorist’ for
agitating for the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra and adjudged
an enemy of the Nigerian state. He said:
“Livinus was not arrested for any
terrorist activity or economic sabotage. He was a leading pro-Biafra voice and
agitator. “We fear for Livinus’ life based on a fresh manhunt for him by the
security agents issued after he along with others led a pro-Biafra street
procession three months ago.”
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