Ahead of the yuletide, and the huge traffic expected from Easterners in several parts of the country, the Nigerian Army, remodeled its “Operation Python Dance” in the South-East to reduce the number of its road blocks on major highways to facilitate free flow of traffic.
Deputy Director, Public Relations of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Musa Sagir, who made the disclosure while on patrol with newsmen at the River Niger Bridge head, Onitsha and Awka, explained that the modification was necessary, to remove totally or shorten some of the check points, particularly within the bridge head, Onitsha, as the yuletide drew closer.
He called for cooperation from other security agencies operating within the bridge head to support the army to ensure free flow of traffic in the area.
Sagir said the operation was not be seen as a witch-hunting exercise directed at any group or individual but one purely aimed at military training and crime prevention.
His words, “Our men will stay on the side of road watching in case of any criminality and obstruction on the road. You have seen that we are not looking for any group or individual to arrest since our operation started on November 27 and will end on December 27 in the five eastern states.
“The Nigerian Army has to ensure safety, peace and security, and to ensure that Nigeria’s security challenges are reduced to the barest minimum. No holidays for all the military personnel in the South-East throughout the period of the exercise.
“The Nigerian Army has no vested interest, except to ensure that there is peace and security in the nation. Our interest is to forestall such issues as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and even traffic gridlock. We want to ensure that the security challenges are reduced to the barest minimum.
“And remember that we are moving towards Christmas and New Year celebrations and we want to see what we can do to maintain peace and harmony even after the period in all the communities within the area of responsibility of 82 Division.
“As the exercise goes on, if there is any area that needs adjustment, we will do that and the commanders are on ground to effect such adjustments. Nothing is rigid in life.”
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