Pythons aren’t known for dancing!

In Nigeria, our fondness for adopting stances based upon raw emotion rather than rational thought is legendary. This predilection reared its head once again in the aftermath of the Nigerian Army’s “Operation Python Dance II” in the South-East. It defies logic that some Nigerians are celebrating and justifying the killing of unarmed compatriots. The issue has been clouded by emotions surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, Biafra and Nigerian Unity.

Sentiments aside, the crux of the matter is that unarmed people should never be killed for simply propagating contrary opinions. The military aren’t to blame, they only carry out orders. It’s government’s fault. Nnamdi Kanu is an opinionated rabble rouser who violates his bail conditions with impunity. He has an over-inflated sense of self-importance and insanely enjoys people kissing his feet! There is no disputing that his language is both offensive and inciting, but there is also no disputing that government has played right into his hands. Until they took him seriously he was an inconsequential individual with little support from his people, a nobody ranting away on an insignificant internet radio station.

Now both himself and his Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Movement have been written into history. Although the Federal Government has every right to assert its authority to defend the territorial integrity of the nation, there are better ways of doing so than the unnecessary and avoidable killing of unarmed civilians. A strong democratic government isn’t one with a brutal military or security force, but one that enjoys support because of its equitable and humane policies. Restraint and compassion must be government’s watchword.

At the end of the day it is they, not Kanu who are responsible for protecting the lives of citizens. It was in Kanu’s interest to provoke soldiers into brutality so that global support for IPOB would increase, while the Nigerian Army would suffer opprobrium. Indisputably Operation Python Dance II was a public relations disaster which fostered the ridiculous and unfounded allegations of genocide against Ibo’s. Army spokespersons said the operation was designed to nip criminal activities and threats to security in the bud, and enhance peaceful co-existence.

Tragically it only caused avoidable death, destruction of property, and a worsened security situation. This is the predictable outcome of soldiers performing policing functions. The Army’s duty is to kill and defeat enemies of the State. It’s the Police’s duty to ensure internal security and protect citizens from harm. Whenever the Army is used for police functions, citizens end up being killed as enemies of the State. This is exactly what is now transpiring in the South-East. Amidst all the condemnation over avoidable loss of life, the Army should still be given credit for exercising a certain amount of restraint. Stones and bottles were thrown at armed soldiers who could easily have obliterated the area had they wished to do so. IPOB’s allegations of genocide are ludicrous in light of the relatively low number of casualties. In military terminology, the dead are referred to as “collateral damage”. That said, if the motive was truly to reassure citizens and win public support, why wasn’t Operation Python Dance II given a more accommodating and less provocative name such as “Operation Security and Unity”?

The whole mess has fuelled suspicions that government is working towards a predetermined end, especially when the subsequent declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization, didn’t follow the laid down legal and judicial processes. Indeed, IPOB has made history for being the first organization to be declared as terrorists without firing a single gunshot or exploding a single bomb! It would be a mistake to believe that the Biafra movement starts and ends with Kanu and IPOB.

Kanu is neither an orator, nor a rich man. Security services must find out who exactly is financing the Biafra movement, writing the speeches, producing the flags, uniforms, and brochures? The Minister of Information’s claim that unidentified “treasury looters and disgruntled politicians” are behind IPOB is simply not tenable. It’s merely an excuse for government to persecute their political opponents. Meanwhile in an unconstitutional declaration which is of no effect, the Governors of South-Eastern States “proscribed” the activities of IPOB.

This is hardly surprising because Kanu’s high profile is an indictment of their failure. They have short changed their people through election rigging, selfishness and money at all cost politics. If truth be told the Igbos lack serious purposeful political leaders with courage competence and character. This is why former President Obasanjo suggested that government should “negotiate” with Kanu. This is absurd and out of the question. He wasn’t elected and has no mandate to discuss on anyone’s behalf. Even when Kanu and IPOB are finally “dealt with” valid questions will still linger as to why government doesn’t declare rampaging murderous “herdsmen” armed with AK47 Rifles to be terrorists, while unarmed IPOB members who have killed no one are? It doesn’t make sense, especially when the allegations against IPOB members are based upon opposition to the marauding soldiers.

The Nigerian Army has always denied Amnesty International allegations that they engage in serial human rights abuses. Unfortunately, the internet is now replete with videos which suggest that there may indeed be substance to the allegations. Successive governments in Nigeria have failed to curtail rising lawlessness amongst law enforcement officers and military personnel. All this death, destruction, and bad blood could so easily have been avoided if authorities had simply waited until Kanu returned to Court where his bail would definitely be revoked. Protests and opposition are an integral part of democracy and government must imbibe this culture. They should be cautious that in their determination to destroy IPOB they do not end up destroying the nation.

The populace doesn’t need more death and destruction. Pythons are amongst the largest snakes in the world, they move slowly and sluggishly. Unlike King Cobras, they don’t dance, they simply strangle and kill.