Nigeria Army To Launch Operation To Check Violent Agitations in South East

The Nigeria Army is to launch “Operation Ogbu Eke II’’ – “Python
Dance II’’, in the South East between September 15 and October 14,
to check violent criminals, agitators and other forms of
criminalities.

The Chief of Training and Operations, David Ahmadu, a major
general, announced this at a news conference on Friday in
Abuja.

He said Operation Python Dance was launched between November 27
and December 27, 2016 in the zone to tackle kidnapping, armed
banditry and other crimes.

He added that the second phase of operation would focus on
raids, cordon and search, patrol road blocks, as well as “show of
force’’ to deal with suspected criminals.

Mr. Ahmadu recalled that the aim of the first phase of the
operation was to effectively contain kidnapping and other vices
common in the South East during Yuletide.

He added that “the effect of that exercise yielded tremendous
results and law abiding citizens celebrated 2016 Christmas in safer
environment than what it used to be.

“Building on this achievements, exercise Ogbu eke II has become
more expedient due to spate of assassinations, even in religious
places, attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons,
kidnapping, armed banditry, violent agitations by secessionist
groups, among other crimes that have recently bedevilled the
region.

“The need for troops to be refreshed and imbibe the requisite
skills, to cope with these emerging security challenges within the
82 Division area of responsibility in aid of civil authority
necessitated this exercise,’’ Mr. Ahmadu said.

He said the exercise would be conducted in conjunction with
other security organisations.

The Nigeria Army is to launch “Operation Ogbu Eke II’’ – “Python
Dance II’’, in the South East between September 15 and October 14,
to check violent criminals, agitators and other forms of
criminalities.

The Chief of Training and Operations, David Ahmadu, a major
general, announced this at a news conference on Friday in
Abuja.

He said Operation Python Dance was launched between November 27
and December 27, 2016 in the zone to tackle kidnapping, armed
banditry and other crimes.

He added that the second phase of operation would focus on
raids, cordon and search, patrol road blocks, as well as “show of
force’’ to deal with suspected criminals.

Mr. Ahmadu recalled that the aim of the first phase of the
operation was to effectively contain kidnapping and other vices
common in the South East during Yuletide.

He added that “the effect of that exercise yielded tremendous
results and law abiding citizens celebrated 2016 Christmas in safer
environment than what it used to be.

“Building on this achievements, exercise Ogbu eke II has become
more expedient due to spate of assassinations, even in religious
places, attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons,
kidnapping, armed banditry, violent agitations by secessionist
groups, among other crimes that have recently bedevilled the
region.

“The need for troops to be refreshed and imbibe the requisite
skills, to cope with these emerging security challenges within the
82 Division area of responsibility in aid of civil authority
necessitated this exercise,’’ Mr. Ahmadu said.

He said the exercise would be conducted in conjunction with
other security organisations.