As Operation Python Dance inwards the South-East portion continues to generate controversy, the Nigerian Army said on Sat that it would launch an operation, Crocodile Smile II, which would comprehend the South-South portion in addition to approximately parts of the South-West.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said this inwards an interview amongst Signature TV on Saturday, monitored yesteryear PUNCH correspondent.
The regular army spokesman noted that “encouraging feedback” from the South-East afterwards Python Dance I made the regular army laid out Python Dance lI.
He said, “Look, this is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian armed services belongs to Nigeria in addition to they direct hold a duty to practise inwards whatever purpose of the country. It is then sorry that approximately people endeavor to politicise these issues. They should direct hold exercised patience in addition to seen how this practise would go.
“We had Operation Harbin Kunama II roofing the North-West in addition to parts of the North-Central this year. As before long equally nosotros are done amongst Egwu Eke II (Python Dance), nosotros are too going on Crocodile Smile II that volition comprehend the South-South in addition to approximately parts of the South-West of the country.
“Operation Python Dance II came well-nigh based on the encouraging feedback nosotros received equally a lawsuit of Python Dance I held terminal year. This is specially because of the crimes during the ‘ember’ catamenia inwards the region. You know that the South-easterners, who are enterprising in addition to industrious people, direct hold to render to their places at the destination of the year.
“Unfortunately, approximately criminal elements direct hold payoff of this catamenia to perpetrate crimes. We direct hold armed robberies, kidnappings, in addition to communal clashes. But the Christmas of 2016 in addition to New Year's Day 2017 were the most peaceful inwards that purpose of the country, in addition to that is attributed to the champaign preparation exercise, Python Dance I.”
The regular army spokesman said the activities of a grouping of “vocal people, out of mischief or ignorance trying to do violence” should non endure taken equally the stand upwards of the South-East region.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, in addition to 82 Division’s spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, spell appraising Operation Python Dance II, told PUNCH correspondent on Sat that people had been calling the communication lines supplied yesteryear the armed services to provide information.
Musa said, “There is no reported friction anywhere then far inwards the whole of the South-East. Apprehension has gone downwards in addition to people are freely conducting their business. The book of calls received then far through our dedicated populace information jail cellphone telephone numbers is unprecedented.”
Also, the Nigerian Navy said on Sat that it was on a ruby-red warning to secure Nigeria’s unity, despite the tension generated yesteryear the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said this inwards Abuja during the Navy Route March at the Mogadishu Cantonment, proverb he had ordered the naval personnel to mobilise in addition to secure the maritime domain.
Represented at the lawsuit yesteryear the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Ibe Enenwo, Ibas said, “Even without tasking, nosotros are fully deployed inwards internal safety situations equally required yesteryear the constitution in addition to for our ain peculiar environment, the maritime environment.
“This practise is belongings simultaneously inwards all naval locations all over the country, in addition to it is required instantly that nosotros equally armed services personnel maintain fit. For you lot to execute the demanding chore I direct hold pointed out, things similar safety challenges are to a greater extent than instantly than nosotros direct hold before.”
PUNCH