Don’t Repeat Operation Python Dance, Ohanaeze Warns Army

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned the Nigeria army not to repeat the
2017 operation python experience, where soldiers killed, maimed and
caused destructions in Igbo land.

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo who spoke
out on Tuesday about the plan by the army, faulted the guise of
possible election crisis by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB,
as insinuated by the army to unleash another round of human rights
violation across Igbo land.

Nwodo insisted that IPoB was a not a troublesome organisation
but a self-determination group whose threats of election boycott
had never diminished any election but had rather increased
awareness and turn out for such exercises.

Nwodo also warned that the army may in the other way be planning
to scare the people of southeast from turning out enmass to cast
their votes on the election day with their road blocks and other
forms of brute force they usually employ during the exercise of
operation python dance.

Nwodo said “Our attention has been drawn to the marching orders
given by the Chief of Army staff to Division and Garrison
Commanders in the South East of Nigeria to go after IPOB members in
the region in order to forestall their threat to boycott the
forthcoming general elections and instead hold their own
referendum.

“Ohanaeze is disturbed that this kind of order might be
misconstrued to execute carnage, drowning in shallow water and
inhuman and degrading treatment on our youths as happened in the
last operation python dance in Abia State.

“IPOB remains a peaceful organization championing self
determination.

Their last threat for boycott of Anambra state elections
witnessed no violence but instead we saw a higher turnout of voters
than in the previous elections.

The army did not order any such operation then as they are
ordering now.

“We hope this operation is not aimed at scaring the people of
the South East from coming out to cast their votes. We should be
allowed to use our traditional rulers, community leaders and
religious leaders to restrain our children.”