Conspiracy theorists among the pro-Biafran ranks have only stop short of describing the operation as a premeditated siege of the region. However, the Army had given some hints into the nature of the operation which they said is largely designed to ensure a hitch-free yuletide, with a warning to groups in the area that may foment trouble during the period. Even before the commencement date of the operation, some visible signs of the operation already dotted landscapes in the region. In Anambra State, its step-up headquarters located at the Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka, wears the Army camouflage decor.
Though the one-month exercise is billed to end on December 27, the Army would still be on ground thereafter, to maintain peace in the various communities in the geo-political zone.
This is according to the spokesman for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Musa Sagir. Sagir, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 82 Division, Enugu, Last month told newsmen in Awka that the prevalent security issues such as robbery, kidnapping, herdsmen-farmers clashes and violent secessionist attacks, among others, would, however, be points of focus for the exercise.
He said that for the purpose of the exercise, there would be increase in the number of soldiers and check points in the zone, adding that troops would also be moving from one point to the other to maintain peace. He added that the Army would not forget its Corporate Social Responsibility within the period.
Said he: “The Nigerian Army Corps and Services would conduct activities such as medical outreaches, repairs of roads, schools and other infrastructure across the South-East region. The Chief of Army Staff has also directed that a contingent of sustainable mechanism be infused into the overall planning and execution of the exercise to achieve a hitch-free yuletide for the entire region.”
As the roadblocks spring up across the South-East states, many consider the rampant sighting of camouflage-clad military operatives as an undue militarization of the region. While many have expressed concern over the increased military presence, some groups have been more concerned and rather very vociferous on the matter.
Kicking against the military presence, the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has gone further to accuse South-East governors of collaborating with the Nigerian military to launch a killing campaign of Ndigbo.
Describing the military operation as a renewed plot between the Federal Government and state governors of the South-East to annihilate the Igbos, IPOB, through a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “We are going to hold the South-East governors responsible if anything happens to any person in the South-East because the Federal Government and the Nigeria defence headquarters cannot just bring in military hardware into the South-East without the knowledge of the state governors.
“We are not in a military era and the governors should go back to their masters in Abuja, tell them to recall and remove all the military hardware deployed in all the South-East.” Reacting to the claims of IPOB, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State said that neither he nor the state government has any issue against pro-Biafra agitators.
The governor, who spoke through Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, denied the allegation by IPOB that he collaboratively instigated Operation Python Dance to diminish the struggle of pro-Biafra agitators. Nnacheta, who addressed newsmen, said: “The on-going Exercise Python Dance by the Nigerian Army in the South-East has been misinterpreted by some persons as an exercise designed to inconvenience the Igbo and in particular Ndi-Anambra.
“It is mischievously propagated in some quarters as a terrible Christmas gift to our people. Governor Obiano’s statement on the exercise has been distorted by malicious persons in the social media. “The government and people of Anambra State are appalled at these nefarious efforts and condemn it emphatically.
“It is incorrect for some persons to suggest that Anambra State is at war or loggerheads with any sect, persons or organisations on account of the ongoing military training exercise.” He assured that the state government would at all times ensure that the rights and comfort of the people were respected by all and sundry. According to the commissioner: “Anambra State is today the safest state in not just Nigeria but West Africa. This is a long leap since the assumption of office of Governor Obiano 33 months ago.”
Also, the leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) condemned in totality, the Operation Python Dance in the South-East.
According to a statement issued by the leader of the group, Comrade Uchenna Madu, “Operation Python Dance is another dimension of war being prosecuted by President Muhammadu Buhari against Ndigbo.
This military invasion amounts to a declaration of a state of emergency in the South East States; and having initiated this military operation without any substantial public enlightenment and orientation leaves so much to be desired.”
Continuing, the statement maintained that the operation is not just against pro-Biafran groups but against Ndigbo as a people considering that MASSOB has no public event in the Christmas season.
He said: “Christmas season is a period of mass return for Ndigbo with much concentration in Igboland, so to the military, it’s a grand opportunity for creating fears and tension among our people in the hope that it will erode the confidence and consciousness of Biafra in the land. What they will also achieve is to scare away our sons and daughters from returning for the Christmas celebration.”
The MASSOB leader lamented what he described as the oppressive and repressive leadership style of the Muhammadu Buhari administration observing: “The army said it initiated Operation Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta in response of militancy in the region. For the South-East, the Army initiated Operation Python Dance in the South-East in response to the Biafra struggle.
The question begging for answer is this; if the Federal Government could react with such swiftness to issues of self determination, why is it taking it so long, if ever, to respond to the terrorism of the Fulani herdsmen in the South-East? Why is it taking them so long to respond to the cries of Ndigbo concerning every federal road in the region which have since become death traps?
Why have they not made any policy statement at least concerning all the port and potential ports in the South-East, to open up commerce and investment in the region? Why have they not reacted by deploying soldiers to Southern Kaduna where hundreds of houses, churches and over 150 people have been killed by people in the past few months?”
Continuing he said: “Whatever be the case, MASSOB declares with unshakable spirit of self determination that the massive presence of Nigerian military will not deter us from the Biafra struggle, we are more determined with the frustrated presence of our enemies as that proves the uneasiness of our oppressors. Nigeria army should know that in every Igboman, Biafra lives”, Madu stressed.
Needless to say, observers have pointed that one fact that cannot be ruled out is the fact that the deployment of soldiers to the region is not unconnected with the activities of IPOB and MASSOB in that area in recent times- more so as IPOB leader Nnamdi Kano remains in detention despite the fact that a court has granted him bail.
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