The Guardian (Nigeria)

Army Highlights Gains Of Operation Python Dance In Southeast

- From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

THE Nigeria Army said yesterday that it has checkmated the activities of the recently proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other Biafra agitators in the southeast zone.

It stressed that the people of the region now go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.

It stated that the Operation Python Dance 2, which took off fully in the zone last Friday had recorded tremendous success with arrests of suspected criminals, averting farmers-herdsmen and communal clashes, as well as denied kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers among others freedom to operate.

Giving a report of the military operations so far in the five southeast states, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Enugu, Col Musa Sagir, said that the exercise has stabilized the zone despite the earlier opposition by the proscribed Biafra agitators and other unpatrioti­c elements, adding that over 40 persons have been arrested for various crimes. His words: “The Southeast especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilised. The activities of the outlawed Biafra “National Guards,” which manned checkpoint­s and extorted traders and motorists, have now been checkmated.

“Similarly, the outlawed secessioni­st group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance.

“Also, about 4.30pm on September 17, 2017, troops of Sector 2 on patrol at Ohaji-egbema general area, along Obokofia-agwa, Rombe-oguta road junction in Imo State, intercepte­d two persons in a vehicle conveying about 15kg of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

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