‘Ops Python Dance 2, Like ‘Ops Crocodile Smile’ meant for Citizens Protection-Buratai; says Army Not under Pressure over withdrawal claims.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Monday disclosed that the deployments of troops for the special training and operations in the South East code-named Operation Python Dance 2, like Operation Crocodile Smile earlier declared in South-South was aimed at protection of Nigerian citizens.

The Army Chief also stated that following demands by the South East Governors that troops be pulled out from the zone and rejection of IPOB being labeled a terrorist organization, the army was not under any pressure over the conduct of its training exercise which it is constitutionally entitled to undertake.

He then noted that the decision whether to de-proscribe IPOB, a decision taken by South East governors or remove the tag of terrorist organization are decisions only governments of the South East region , the Federal Government would take. 

Speaking at the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference 2017, held at the Command Officers Mess, Asokoro, Buratai said that there were guidelines as provided in the country’s Terrorism Act which conferred such powers exclusively on some relevant government agencies.

His words, “As regards the proscription, this is what I want to give the federal government will take a final decision on that.

“There are guidelines as provided in the Terrorism Act and I am sure the relevant government agencies am talking will take appropriate steps whether to arrest or whether to do any other actions and we will receive the appropriate directives from the authorities”.

Throwing more light he said, ‘Operation Python Dance in the South East and the forth coming Operation Crocodile Smile in both the South-South and South West, are aimed at reassuring  Nigerians, and law abiding citizens that the Nigerian Army and indeed other security agencies were really concerned with the safety and security of their lives and property in the country. 

He disclosed that Operation Crocodile Smile 2, would only be launched immediately after the end of Operation Python Dance pointing out that the Nigerian Army under his command remains totally loyal to the federal administration under President Muhammadu Buhari.

While charging officers and soldiers to remain apolitical in their chosen carrier, Buratai said, “You should understand the context by which the Nigerian Army is operating. 

“Nigerian Army is part of the political consideration in the democratic system. It is part of the democratic process; it is a product of the democratic governance.

 “So We are not receiving any pressure, we are giving what the constitution provided for us, constitutionally what our responsibilities are for us. So we are not under any pressure whatsoever.

“There are several provisions that give us those responsibilities and also to carry out such task as duly assigned by the government or by the constituted authority. Be rest assured that we don’t have any other role that is outside the constitution. 

‘Nigerian Army is part of the political consideration in the democratic system. It is part of the democratic processes; it’s a product of the democratic governance. 

He said, “Training is a continuous exercise in the Nigerian Army in particular and the military in general. So it is not a new thing.  

“We have been training; we have been exercising in a regular basis. But once in a while we come and carry out a large scale exercise to harmonize all the aspects of training that have been thought in training institutions and unit formations. 

“Since we came on board in 2015, we have been having series of exercises and we did same set of exercise in 2016 and we are repeating the same thing this year.

“You  are aware of Operation Harbin Kunama II, the ongoing Egwu Eke II in the south East  and very soon,  at the end of python dance,  we moved into crocodile smile II. 

“This is just to reassure Nigerians, law abiding citizens that the Nigerian Army and indeed other security agencies are really concerned with the safety and security of their lives and property.”

The capacity building conference, he said was aimed at strengthening some of the Nigerian Army’s current operations across the country just as he said it would enable the Nigerian Army review its projections and take far reaching decisions on its operations.

The conference had in attendance, participants were mainly principal staff officers, Force Commander MNJTF, Commander Ops Lafiya Dole, Formations, Corps Commanders, and Commandants of the Nigerian Army and Corps schools among others.

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