Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff has revealed plans to crackdown on agitators in the South East with Operation 'Python Dance II.'
Pro-biafra agitators in the South East
The Nigerian Army has concluded arrangements to begin a total clamp down on agitators of Biafra Republic, under the auspices of the Indeginous People of Biafra, IPOB, as well as other trouble makers in the South East, Independent has reported.
The decision was announced yesterday by the army Headquarters who planned commencement of a new Operation EGWU EKE II, (Python DanceII), from Friday September 15 to Saturday October 14.
Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, who briefed journalists through Maj-Gen. David Ahmadu, Chief of Training and Operations, CTOP, in Abuja, said that time was up for all the agitators and those perpetrating violent crimes in the South East.
The Army Chief said that the Operations is going to cover Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states, which constitute the five South East states. The Army had recently embarked on Operation EGWU EKE I in the South East where it tackled kidnapping activities in the region.
Buratai said this “Exercise EGWU EKE II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attack on security personnel, theft of weapons, armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism and violent agitations, as well as other security challenges that have recently become prevalent in the South Eastern part of the country.
“The need for troops to be exercised, 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 calls for this exercise.”
The Army said that this operation will be conducted with the involvement of other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.