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updated 10:20 AM UTC, Dec 13, 2023

Army’s Python Dance II: Nigerians Call On Buhari To Stop Show Of Shame

Unic Press UK: An opinion poll conducted by The Guardian, an independent Nigerian newspaper that was established in 1983, and another by Unic Press UK illustrates that Nigerians overwhelmingly disagree with the Nigerian government over the ongoing military operation [named Python Dance II] in the South East region.

The Guardian Newspaper, asked: ‘Is the FG right to have introduced Operation Python Dance in the Southeast?’. Unic Press UK question to respondents: ‘Is it necessary for the Nigerian Army to embark on a 1 month operation [Python Dance II] in the South East region at this time?’.

The outcome of Guardian Newspaper’s poll:

  • 52% said No, did not support the Federal Government of Nigeria
  • 38% in support
  • 10% indifferent

The outcome of the poll by Unic Press UK, which was held from 13th September to 14th September, was:

  • 67% said that No. Not in support Army’s operation Python Dance II
  • 22% in support
  • 11% indifferent

Poll(s) eliciting public opinion on Operation Python Dance II became germane in the light of what had happened in Umuahia, Abia state of Nigeria and rising tensions this week when military forces riding on armored personnel carriers laid siege near the home of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement on 10th September 2017, IPOB that is seeking a referendum on Biafra independence from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said:

“The Nigerian army… invaded the compound of the leader of the indigenous people of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu, with amoured tank, shooting at people on site. We the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB are hereby placing the international community on notice, the life of the leader of IPOB Nnamdi Kanu is in grave danger now. We are calling on the United Nation, EU, AU and the world at large to do the needful to avoid another genocide in Biafra land.”

Unic’s field agents and four eyewitnesses said that the Nigerian military fired live munition after IPOB adherents expressed reservations [hurling stones on armored personnel carriers with troops] when Nigerian army personnel arrived near the home of its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Tensions seem to have escalated, especially in Aba, the main commercial centre of Abia state, when news spread that the Nigerian army allegedly killed a member of IPOB. The BBC news Thursday, the 14th September 2017, reported: “three people shot in tense south-east Nigeria. Two people died and one was rushed to hospital.”

Several videos/images showing the Nigerian army brutalizing civilians seems to dominate the discourse among Nigerians on the social media, particularly YouTube, Facebook, Twitter. One of such videos did show men believed to be IPOB members lying with their face buried in a very dirty puddle. Unic Press UK has yet to fully verify the authenticity of any of the videos.

In a statement yesterday, the Nigerian army said:

“The attention of the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a video clip trending on social media and other platforms purportedly showing troops humiliating some people at a check point in Abia State, Nigeria. The issue is being investigated with the view to ascertain the source and the actors in the clip. Our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any officer or soldier that infringed on any of such directive if found guilty, will face full wrath of the military justice system. We would like inform the public that 82 Division is also aware of the planned misinformation and propaganda arrangement by the secessionists Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). They intend to churn out prerecorded video clips aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army, causing disaffection among the citizens of this country.” (Nigerian Army: 14th September 2017)

OHANEZE NDIGBO REACTS 

President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group Ohaneze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, issued a statement Tuesday. He said:

“History teaches us that the continuous use of force to silence dissent and free speech will only accelerate the growth of dissent and dissatisfaction. Fundamental Rights of freedom of expression are critical for a successful democracy. Operation Python Dance 1 procured no arrests of criminals that were prosecuted for any of the criminal activities that Operation Python Dance II is supposed to address. Instead, it witnessed reckless and indiscriminate murder of self-determination agitators in Asaba, Aba, Nkpor, and Port Harcourt numbering up to 191 by the estimates of Transparency International and shattered public confidence of South-easterners in the Nigerian Army and Police.” (Ohaneze: 12th September 2017)

SOUTH EAST CAUCUS IN SENATE CAUTIONS NIGERIAN MILITARY

The Senate’s South East Caucus chairman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed concerns over the presence of heavy military artillery in densely populated areas of the South East at peace time. He said:

“We had hoped that our ongoing engagement with the group would be given a chance but here we are with a hurried military action deep into a highly populated area with high propensity for casualty, which occurrence would rather escalate the already tense situation. It is more worrisome that military operation, ‘Python Dance 2,’ restricted to the South-East in a peace time, has no doubt fouled the environment and sent strong signal that the region is under siege, which should not be so in a democracy. We, therefore, urge extreme caution and advise the military to de-escalate the situation and choose the best operational modus that will not only guaranty the safety of Nigerians but also enhance national unity. Nigeria is not at war, people are only exercising their constitutional and universally guaranteed rights, so far they are carrying on in a manner that has never given room to violence which could warrant a wholesale military expedition.”

GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU EXTENDS CURFEW AGAIN

The initial curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. that started on Tuesday, the 12th September, ending on Thursday, the 14th September, was first extended to 15th September 2017. Today it was extended to Sunday, the 17th September 2017, and made public via a press statement delivered by the chief press secretary to the governor of Abia state Enyinnaya Appolos.

REACTIONS ON TWITTER

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