THE one-month exercise, code-named ‘Operation Python Dance’ introduced by the Nigerian Army to curb crime in the South-East geopolitical zone during the Christmas and New Year celebrations ends officially tomorrow. Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 82 Division, Col Sagir Musa, however, said troops would continue to maintain road blocks and check points in the zone to sustain the gains of the exercise. He expressed satisfaction with the exercise, noting that the zone did not record incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, cult activities, communal clashes, herdsmen-farmers clashes and other vices usually associated with the yuletide in the past. As part of the activities of Operation Python Dance, the special army training and security arrangement for the South East, the General Officer Commanding 82 division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar also visited several communities to reassure the citizens of their security.
In this regard, Major General Abubakar on Christmas day visited Awka, Agulu, Nnobi, Ihiala and Okija communities in Anambra State to ensure that troops comply with the mandate of Exercise Python Dance. A statement by Col Sagir Musa noted that the “GOC was also at the Niger Bridge to assess the state of security and vehicular movements. Sagir said: “It would be recalled that traffic gridlock has for many years, especially during the yuletide, been endemic on the Niger Bridge in both Asaba and Onitsha axis inflicting suffering and other inconveniences to the road users. “Hence, parts of the targets for the exercise is to checkmate the usual gridlock, chaos and insecurity at the bridge. “This objective has so far been achieved. Since the start of Exercise Python Dance, there has not been cases of gridlock and associated insecurity on the Asaba-Onitsha bridge. “The orderliness, the disposition of combined security personnel and the public conduct, especially the road users, is commendable.”
