Defined by controversy, Operation Python Dance II ends as Army declares it ‘successful’

After more than a month, the controversial Operation Python Dance II launched by the Nigerian Army has ended. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar, Saturday, who represented Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai, formally declared its end.

This operation has been highly controversial, coming on the heels of a military show of force which led to fatal confrontation between members of the now-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by the now missing Nnamdi Kanu, and personnel of the Nigerian Army.

More recently, the operation was also the subject of much controversy over widely circulated rumours that its medical outreach was responsible for the monkeypox outbreak.

According to a statement by Col Sagir Musa, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, “The ceremony took place in Sector 1 Tactical Headquarters at Umuahia, Abia State at about 7pm to 8pm on Saturday 14 October 2017, with the traditional activation of camp fire to formally signify the successful completion of the Exercise”.

General Abubakar commended all the officers, soldiers and personnel of paramilitary organizations that collaborated, working tirelessly and commendably throughout the one month period of the exercise.

The GOC stated that there were remarkable achievements recorded during the exercise in the areas of attainment of the mission-specific training objectives, improvement in peace and security, and curtailing the menace of violent irredentist groups.

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On the part of the Abia State government, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engineer Emmanuel Nwabuko, representing the governor, expressed the appreciation of the government and people of the state for the numerous achievements of Exercise Egwu Eke II in terms of improvement of peace, security and stability of the state.

He stated that the collaborative relationship with the Nigerian Army could be traced to as far back as 2010 – 2011 when kidnappers, armed robbers and other hoodlums paralyzed economic and social activities in the state before the army that rescued the state. “So, we are ready to always leverage on this relationship whenever the need arise”, the deputy governor said.

Also in attendance were the representative of the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Ndalolo, Defence Headquarters Observer Team led by Commodore Shammah, the Chief of Staff 82 Division Brigadier General LKN Udeagbala and Security Adviser to Abia State Governor, Captain (rtd) Idonsi Awa and the Commanders of 14 and 34 Brigades Brigadier Generals AK Ibrahim and IH Bature.

Others were the Commanders of 44 Engineer Brigade, 82 Division Garrison, Ordinance Services, and Supply and Transport Brigadier Generals Mark Mamman, LA Adegboye, OJ Ugwuoke and EA Anaryu respectively.

 

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