Logistics hampers army’s nationwide Python Dance

Despite its avowed declaration to begin the muchtrumpeted Operation Python Dance nationwide on January 1, 2019, the Nigerian Army could not live up to its promise, as the first month of the year gradually winds down.

Aside a very few places, such as Ondo and Bayelsa, where the military kickstarted the programme, it is evident that the Nigerian Army is yet to deploy its men for the operation in many communities visited by our correspondents across the country, as there were no visible signs of the soldiers or other uniformed personnel just as the people were waiting for the arrival of the combatants.

As of today, there are still expectations in many communities across the nation, though with mixed feelings, awaiting the arrival of the men in Khaki uniform. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, had last week in Maiduguri, through the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, set the commencement of the programme for the first day of the year.

However, checks by the Saturday Telegraph have revealed that the Nigerian Army failed to launch the project because of the lack of personnel to carry out the task. Highly placed military sources confided in the Saturday Telegraph that the Nigerian Army is presently overwhelmed with the Boko Haram insurgency, as such, could not deploy personnel for the nationwide operation. One of the top officers that spoke with our correspondents queried the timing of the announcement while revealing that the military is lacking human resources to carry out the project.

“How can we be putting soldiers on duty nationwide when the North East is still boiling? We don’t have enough hands, we even need more soldiers to back up the operations going on up North. “It is not possible to start Python Dance nationwide because the recent attacks on Baga and other areas really affected our operations. The announcement was done in a hurry, they should have tarried a while.” Another source further revealed that those who were to be deployed for the operation had been drafted into the war against insurgency after the recent attacks, living few hands to handle the others security units.

Explaining that the number of fallen soldiers in recent times had reduced the capacity of the military, the second source hinted that there is still need to draft more people into the insurgency war. “The entire military, not just the army, is overwhelmed with the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, so, it is a difficult task to deploy any soldier for the nationwide operation at this moment.

“And the truth of the matter is that the military cannot do anything now, we have to wait, because doing otherwise would be tantamount to belabouring these soldiers. They also need some rest, they are humans”, the other officer said. “Are you not aware that we were even looking for a backup from the police? The story was all over the news when some of the police cadets escaped from the military camp they put them.”

Notwithstanding the failure of the Nigerian Army to carry out its mission, the absence of the soldiers had not stopped the fears associated with such deployment. Checks by our correspondents revealed that there is still apprehension in many parts of the country. Many of the people spoken with are of the opinion that the project be put on hold but they are still expecting the soldiers to invade their communities in readiness for the operation.

Anxiety in Lagos

Hundreds of Lagosians, including security stakeholders have expressed dismay over the issue, saying that it would amount to putting Nigeria on military lockdown for weeks. Tension has enveloped Lagos State as the wait heats up. Although the soldiers are yet to be deployed, a reliable source told our correspondent that they will unfailing land this month.

“You can be sure that the military will call a press conference to alert Lagos citizens of the soldiers’ arrival. That’s the normal thing.” Reacting, Mr. Damian Ugwu, a researcher with Amnesty International, said: “The military has no business deploying soldiers to Lagos. They have no business meddling in internal security of the state. “

Especially for a military that has its hands full with the insecurity in North East, I wonder why they are so eager to deploy soldiers all over the country. “The military is not trained for policing. The work of policing should be left to the police, while the military takes care of external aggression.

This constant deployment of soldiers has created a lot of tension within the country, leading to several cases of human rights violations, which could have been avoided. “Police are the organ trained to police and fight crimes. When the military resorts to doing the work of the police, they do it in their own way, which often leads to tension between them and Nigerians.” The National Coordinator of Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria, (NOPRIN), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said: “It’s all part of the APC government’s plot to rig elections by militarising the country and intimidating citizenry.

What’s happening in Lagos that warrants military deployment? Isn’t the police there to take charge of the internal security?” A Lagos-based Rights Campaigner, Malcom Omirhobo, on Wednesday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare as ‘unlawful and unconstitutional,’ the declaration of Operation Python Dance across the nation.

The applicant is seeking the court’s declaration that the commencement of a nationwide Operation Python Dance, with effect from January 1 to February 28, to tackle internal security challenges during the conduct of the country’s general elections was illegal and undemocratic. According to him, it violates the fundamental rights of the applicant, as well as those of the Nigerian public, to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, family and private life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement.

Mixed feelings in Ogun, Bauchi

There are mixed feelings among residents and stakeholders in the Ogun and Bauchi states over the desirability of the planned military operation. A former chairman of Ifo Local Government Area, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the country was not sincere, adding that the military operation had shown the height of insensitivity of the incumbent government.

“There is no sincerity of purpose in that python dance. If there is going to be Python Dance, let us encourage them to take it to Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, and others and do their Python Dance there. Ogun State is very peaceful, South West is very peaceful. “There is no need for python dance. Let them carry their python dance to where it is needed; where they are killing Nigerians on daily basis. This has shown the height of insensitivity of this government. On his part, a former state chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Abayomi Olajide, said though Ogun State is peaceful, there is still need for security surveillance.

He said, “I think currently Ogun State is peaceful but there has to be a lot of security surveillance and intelligence gathering must be apt. The security apparatus must be ready, responsive and be as unbiased as possible. “Looking at the accusation, counter-accusation and blackmail arising from political engagement, it’s most unlikely that Ogun State election will be peaceful.

Therefore, Operation Python Dance pre, during and post election might be the needed panacea to forestall breakdown of law and order.” A Bauchi resident, Mohamed Isa Sulaiman, said, if Operation Python Dance would bring peace and harmony in our land they are welcome but we don’t want them to be used for election.

Timing is wrong, say Imo, Kaduna residents

In Imo, not many persons actually believe that there will be another Python Dance in the state, going by the last experience. Ekwuonye Iroka, a trader in Owerri who hails from Umunoha in Mbaitoli Council Area said there was no need for any military operation in the state except there was an ulterior motive to the operation.

“This is the wrong time to execute a military operation across the country. The military should have been occupied with gathering intelligence and on alert for swift interventions to ensure the security of the country ahead the 2019 elections. “Ordinarily, Nigerian elections come with their own tension, but staging a military operation at the same period has the likelihood of sending out the wrong signals especially in areas that clearly have no major security challenges like the Southeast states. “Consequently you cannot fault anybody that accuses the Federal Government of planning to use the Army to intimidate Nigerians during the election that will start by the 16th of February, 2018.

Simply put, the timing of the operation is wrong and suspicious”. Some Kaduna residents who spoke with our correspondent noted that the operation might actually be targeted at some specific areas where there are security challenges. Alexander Okoh, a resident of Kaduna, told Saturday Telegraph that “as you can see the town is calm and peaceful and for me I do not think there will be any thing like Python Dance here, even though the army said it would take place across the country.”

According to him, “If at all there will be anything like that in Kaduna state, they will have to go to Birnin Gwari or Southern Kaduna where we have security challenges and I believe that is what would happen.” Okoh a sales representative who disclosed that he always travels across the state also called on the army and the other security agencies to pay more attention to the roads, adding that “some of these criminals have moved to the highway and are terrorising travellers, so it would be good if soldiers also take their operation to the roads.”

He said. On his part, Sylvester Atodo said “I don’t think the operation is actually meant for the whole country. My believe is that they have specific areas in mind.” He stated that the army authorities might be concentrating on states with security challenges or those they believe are flash points. “What will they come to do here, let them go to where they is problem”, Atodo said.

Edo lawyers, CSOs, differ Residents of Edo state have expressed mixed reactions over the proposed deployment as a lawyer based in Benin, Barrister Adams Aliu said the deployment of troops nationwide is “to ensure security compliance by the citizens, especially, by politicians as the elections approach, noting that he who comes to equity should come with clean hands.

According to him, soldiers are to sanitize the polity and help regulate the behaviour of politicians and their campaigns and not to intimidate anybody”. On his part, the National Coordinator for Global Center For Conscious Living Against Corruption, GCCLAC, Mr. Gabriel Nwambu said, “As a Nigerian it might not be a good thing because this is time for 2019 election”.

Also, Comrade Samson Edigin, a human rights activist in the state, said, “Operation Python Dance is a subtle militarisation of the country which does not add to our democratic growth. The Nigeria police force is saddled with the responsibility of internal security vis-à-vis maintaining of law and order. The focus should rather be on the remote causes of the tension than using the military to quell same”.

‘It sounds deceitful’

Most respondents in the city of Aba have said that the national military exercise may have some hidden agenda. The residents, who said that the decision to tag a national exercise the same name shows that the South East remains the hidden reason behind the exercise not withstanding the national colouration.

Speaking to Saturday Telegraph, Mr. Ekwulisi Ikeajah, a business man said: “I don’t really know why they choose that name. There was once ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ and the ongoing one in the North. Using same name for this exercise, which they said, is merely to curb violence in the election brings nothing, but bad memories. “For me, I think someone is trying to make Operation Python Dance 3 a national exercise just to deflect the eyebrows raised in previous ones in the South East alone. “These people are simply torturing those who saw the horrors of last two years psychologically.

I hope the exercise receive same seriousness everywhere because, here is always where soldiers come to practice their inhumanity.” Chief Christogonus Elendu said that the reason for the exercise is good on paper but said he doubts if there are measures on ground to checkmate the excesses of some overzealous soldiers.

“There’s one serious thing happening in Abia State that most of us aren’t looking at. This military exercise may have good intentions, but who will keep check on these soldiers? “You know how they usually create problems where there seems to be none at all. That’s my worry. In Aba and its environs, some notable schools in town and even sporting facilities have become military camps. Why? Who’s making these moves?

Kano says welcome development

Most of the Kano respondents said they welcome the much pronounced Python Dance, arguing that insecurity must be curtailed in all its ramifications. Dr Bature AbdulAziz, the National President of the National Harmonized Traders Association, believes that military show of force in the names of Python Dance is a welcome idea.

He said Nigerians should support the Nigeria military in its quest to protect the territorial integration of the country if Nigeria is to have the required peace its deserved. Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, a Commissioner for Rural Development in Kano, commended the Nigeria military, saying it would make Nigeria a most peaceful place to leave.

Delta, Niger residents kick

According to Isah Ibrahim, “this is not in line with democratic tenets. But if the federal government is drafting the Army to tackle security threats and challenges then, no problem.” A PDP member in the state, Yahaya Usman said “the decision is worrisome. The military will be more visible in the conduct of our normal civic affairs. I wonder why the Army is gradually taking over the routine jobs of the Nigeria Police”.

The chairman on the board of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro and former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr. Festus Okubor, who queried the rationale for the proposed militarisation of the country with ‘Operation Python Dance’ by the Federal Government, said it was designed to rig the forthcoming general election. The Director of the Directorate of Publicity of the PDP Campaign Organization, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, said the operation is rigging in disguise.

“The military exercise can wait until after the elections. While proposing it after thousands of innocent Nigerians have been killed. These were the terrorists they made us to understand that they had crushed. Now, because of them, they want to use the military to intimidate voters under the guise of Operation Python Dance”, he said. Elder Monday Osayande, a farmer, however described it as a welcome development. He said the military exrcise will halt the damaging spree of the terrorist Boko Haram and put herdsmen killings under check and balance.

Exercise kicks off in Ondo, Bayelsa

Notwithstanding its failure across the country, Operation Python Dance III kickstarted in Ondo and Bayelsa states with the display of showmanship as many gunboats were seen around the creeks. A visit by the Saturday Telegraph to Obogoro, one of the communities along the Epie creek saw more than 15 gunboats patrolling the area. One of the men in charge however said there was no cause for alarm. The soldier, who didn’t want to be mentioned, said, “There is no cause for alarm. It is as a result of the Operation Python Dance III going on simultaneously across the country.

People should go about their normal businesses”, he said.

Also noticed within Yenagoa metropolis, were army checkpoints; at Okaka junction inside Yenagoa, there were checkpoints stationed for the operation. Confirming the beginning of the operation, the spokesperson for the 16 Brigade, Major Jonah Danjuma, said it was a nation wide operation that is also berthing in the state. “It is a nation wide operation taking place in all the divisions. The operation is ongoing. It is not that they will flag it off officially in Bayelsa State”, Danjuma disclosed.

However, some of the residents have said that they were not happy with the development. A resident of Obogoro community, Mrs Kalizibe Ifiemi, said the people were not comfortable with the number of gunboats patrolling the waterways. “There is no problem here at the community and other communities around. I don’t know the reason behind the gunboats patrolling the waters”, she said.

Another resident, Mr Green Jerome, said there was no cause for alarm since the soilders were not harassing anybody. “There is no problem for now. At least the soilders are not harassing any body. In Ondo State, the Nigerian Army began the dance in Owo Local Government Area of the state with the codename ‘Ugwu Eke III’. The Owo/Ikare axis of the State where the Ugwu Eke was flagged-off has been the hotbed of heinous crimes especially kidnapping and robbery. The exercise, according to the military will hold from January 3rd to February 24, 2019 covering the period of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The flag-off of the event was attended by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Major General Okwudili Azinta, the Bridgade Commander of 32 Artillery, Brigadier General James Ataguba and heads and of other security agencies in the state. The state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu pledged to continue to support the security agencies within the available resources, in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, adding that his administration was aware that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

Akeredolu explained that his administration had earlier donated some vehicles to the state command of the Nigeria Police saying more efforts are being made to procure more patrol vehicles and necessary equipment for the security agencies in the state as part of the contributions to effective and efficient security coverage of the state.

The governor however urged the officers and men of the Nigerian Army that will be participating in the exercise to observe the rules of engagement and code of conduct to avoid any action that may infringe on the rights of the public, especially the hosting communities. He expressed hope that the exercise would assist greatly in flushing out all criminal elements within the nooks and crannies of the state from their hideouts to give it the deserved peace and tranquility required for social and economic development. When contacted that logistics had affected the exercise, army spokesman, Brig-Gen Sani Usman, said in a text message “Who told you that? I guess you aren’t following things”.

YOU CAN SEND US UR NEWS AND PRESS RELEASE TO tracknewsng@gmail.com or send it to our WhatsApp Numbers 07010000762, 08067225022