The Nigerian Army has accused some politicians of attempting
to cause crisis between its personnel and people in the South East zone for
their selfish interest as it launches exercise “Python Dance II’’...
Brig.-Gen.
Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations, made the accusation in an
interview with newsmen on Friday. “It is so sad and unfortunate that a
particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying
to set the military and Nigerian society against each other. “It is sad, it is
unfortunate,’’ Usman said while reacting to the face-off between the army and
members of some groups in the zone, particularly in Abia. ADVERTISING inRead
invented by Teads The army spokesman, however, maintained that in spite of the
face-off, the army would go ahead to conduct its exercise, “Egwu Eke’’ – Python
Dance II, due to commence on Friday. “It will commence on 15, Sept. 2017. The
troops have been conducting themselves professionally within the ambit of rules
of engagement and code of conduct and where there are noted infractions,
appropriate measures will be taken.’’ Usman described the face-off between the
army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia as an
isolated issue which he said was being blown out of proportion by some people.
“These isolated incidences, instigated by miscreants and mischief makers,
therefore, should not be taken as something that should jeopardise the military
exercise going on in that place . “It is really sad and unfortunate that people
will not find time to ask question about the essence and activities involved in
respect of exercise Egwu Eke II before jumping into conclusion. “The exercise
is taking part in the entire South East and Cross River, why should we have
problem in one state – Abia. “There is no reported problem in Imo, Ebonyi,
Anambra, Enugu and Cross River states.” The army spokesman called for
understanding, saying that there “is need for all of us to be more responsible,
exercise understanding about the issues at hand, support and encourage the
military to perform its legitimate duty. “The exercise we are having has been
scheduled since last year – 2016, it is not targeted at any segment of the
Nigerian society. “As a matter of fact, it was because of the encouraging
feedback that we have about the conduct of exercise Python Dance I in 2016 that
brought the idea of having another exercise. “And being a responsible
organisation, people said Python Dance seems to be something awkward, so, why
don’t you call it in the native language of those people so that they can
understand it just like you have exercise Harbin Kunama . “We have had
exercises in other parts of the country. “As soon as we are done with exercise
Egwu Eke II, we are embarking on exercise Crocodile Smile II which is also a
scheduled training exercise in the circle of the Nigerian army training year,
2017. “And this time around, beyond the South South Zone, it will be extended
to the South West zone, involving 2 Division, 6 Division and 81 Division,’’
Usman said. He argued that Egwu Eke was not an operation but a training exercise
intended to sharpen the skills involved. This, he said was to enable them to
deal with crimes such as kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other violent
crimes associated with the zone, especially in “ember months.’’ “I want you to
understand that the military do not come out on its own, it will only do so in
case there is a need, a constitutional responsibility or need for them to come
out in aid of civil authority.’’ On the reported attack by members of IPOB on
other ethnic groups in Abia and part of Rivers, he said security agencies had
risen to the challenge. “Well, there were reported attempts by hoodlums or
miscreants to take undue advantage of what has been happening to harass and
molest some other persons residing in the south east. “For instance, we have
had incidents at Oyibo in Rivers and of course, Aba. Security agencies have
risen to the challenge. “There are some mischievous elements that are peddling
information to incite people. People should be wary about information on the
social media,’’ Usman advised.
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