Nigerian Army says it is going ahead with Operation Python Dance 2 despite criticisms
- The Nigerian army says its operation in Abia state remains despite claims soldiers would be withdrawn
- The security organisation says it does not have any order to the effect that it should leave the state
- It warned hoodlums and criminally-minded people to avoid trouble
The Nigerian Army has said its operations in Abia state would continue because its men are yet to receive any order from the general officer commanding the 82 division.
This is against claims that the governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, has declared that the soldiers would leave the streets of Abia on Friday, September 15.
A statement by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, the director of army public relations, confirmed that the soldiers are not prepared to leave the state.
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“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from Exercise EGWU EKE II, crediting such information to Abia state governor and the general officer commanding 82 division Nigerian Army.
“This is not true. The Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregard such rumours,” the statement obtained by Legit.ng stated.
The Nigerian army said the governor did not state outrightly that the soldiers would be pulled off the streets but said: “There will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and Umuahia from tomorrow.”
The statement emphasized that the ‘Exercise EGWU EKE II’ is commencing tomorrow, Friday, September 15 as scheduled.
“Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to commence the Exercise to its logical completion.
“We wish to state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into the various states security outfits till the end of this year.
“Members of the public especially in the areas where the exercise will take place are please enjoined to go about their lawful businesses.
“We wish to also state that we would not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the conduct of the field training exercise through unlawful or criminal activities,” the statement said.
The army warned hooodlums and criminal elements to be law abiding and not cause any breach of peace.
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“We hereby reiterate that our troops would conduct themselves in the best professional manner, abide by the ‘Rules of Engagement’ and ‘Code of Conduct’ in line with requirements of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Any act of indiscipline by any of our personnel would be decisively dealt with.
“While we enjoin all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, the Nigerian Army urge all to support the troops as they carry out their constitutional duties and make Exercise EGWU EKE II a success,” the statement added.
Legit.ng earlier reported how the Nigerian army said it is not directly involved in ongoing operation to restore law and order in Oyibo local government area of Rivers.
Col Aminu Iliyasu, spokesman of the 6 Division of the Nigerian army, Port Harcourt, said this in an interview in Port Harcourt on Thursday, September 14.
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Source: Legit.ng
