Army extends Operation Python Dance II to Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Cross River States

• Urges the public to disregard Gov.Ikpeazu as operation continues in Abia

The Nigerian Army has said that it would launch Operation Python Dance II (Egbu Eke 11) in all the South East states, including Abia, and Cross River State on Friday as scheduled.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Usman urged the public to disregard information credited to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and GOC 82 Division, Enugu, that soldiers would be gradually withdrawn from street in Aba and Umuahia from Friday.
He said: “This should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise EGWU EKE II. The General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not said such thing.
“Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow 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.”
Usman called on the people Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo and Cross River States, where the exercise would take place, to go about their lawful businesses.
Usman warned that the Army will not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the conduct of the field training through unlawful or criminal activities.
“Hoodlums and criminal elements are once again warned to be law abiding and not cause any breach of peace,” he also warned.
Usman said troops involved in the exercise would conduct themselves in the best professional manner, abide by the rules of engagement and code of conduct, adding: “Any act of indiscipline by any of our personnel would be decisively dealt with.”
This is the statement in full: “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 disregards such rumours.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia State Governor in his speech stated that “there will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and Umuahia from tomorrow”. This should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise EGWU EKE II. The General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not said such thing.
“Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow 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.. Hoodlums and criminal elements are once again warned to be law abiding and not cause any breach of peace. 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.”