Security
THE Nigerian Army will soon launch Operation Crocodile Smile II in the South-West and South South regions of the country.
Sani Usman, army spokesman, who stated this in an interview with Signature TV, an online platform, added that despite controversies surrounding Operation Python Dance in the South-East, the army had been getting “encouraging feedback.”
“Look, this is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian military belongs to Nigeria and they have a duty to exercise in any part of the country. It is so sad that some people try to politicise these issues. They should have exercised patience and seen how this exercise would go.
“We had Operation Harbin Kunama II covering the North-West and parts of the North-Central this year. As soon as we are done with Egwu Eke II (Python Dance), we are also going on Crocodile Smile II that will cover the South-South and some parts of the South-West of the country.
“Operation Python Dance II came about based on the encouraging feedback we received as a result of Python Dance I held last year. This is especially because of the crimes during the ‘ember’ period in the region. You know that the south-easterners, who are enterprising and industrious people, have to return to their places at the end of the year.
“Unfortunately, some criminal elements take advantage of this period to perpetrate crimes. We have armed robberies, kidnappings, and communal clashes. But the Christmas of 2016 and New Year 2017 were the most peaceful in that part of the country, and that is attributed to the field training exercise, Python Dance I,” he said.
The army has been accused of establishing the Operation Python Dance 11 to curb the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, but the military denied the allegation. Many people have ben killed in the clash between the Nigerian Army and IPOB members in Abia State resulting in the outcry that soldiers should be withdraw to reduce tension in the area. The army, which also invaded the Nigerian Union of Journalists seacretariat in Umuahia, attacked journalists destroying their equipment, has started withdrawing from the area.
Prior to the clash, Kanu, held rallies and addressed thousands of his supporters since he regained freedom in April, His whereabout is unknown since the army raided his home in Umuahia, Abia State on Sunday.
– Sept 18, 2017 @ 10:09 GMT /
Tags: Nigerian Army Operation Crocodile Smile holds in South West Operation Harbin Kunama II operation Python Dance II Sani Usman South South soon
