“Python Dance III to swallow criminals, thugs, miscreants in Lagos, Ogun”

The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Monday said that the Nigerian Army would provide adequate security that will ensure that the 2019 General Elections are held under peaceful environment devoid of violence.

He revealed this while flagging off Exercise: EGWU EKE 111 at the Tukur Buratai Sports Complex, Ikeja Cantonment.

Buratai explained that at the end of the operation, which is been carried out simultaneously across the country, the Python would have swallowed all the criminals, terrorists, thugs and other miscreants making life difficult for ordinary people in the country.

The Operation EGWU EKE 111 meaning “Python Dance” would last till the second week of March, a week after the general elections would have ended.

Gen Buratai noted, “I am highly delighted to be here today for the flag off of EX EGWU EKE III (Python Dance III) in 81 Div Area of Responsibility (AOR). This is another historic and important event geared towards reassuring law abiding citizens and Nigerians in general of the resolve of the Nigerian Army to provide adequate security and safety even as the nation approaches the 2019 General Elections.

“This significant event is also a reassurance of the resolve of the Nigerian Army to conduct joint operations in collaboration with other security and para-military agencies in aid to civil authorities.

While explaining the objective of the exercise, Lt Gen Buratai added, “the objective is to reinvigorate all existing operations in the country with additional manpower, equipment and resources to address the lingering security problems in the country.

“I assure Nigerians that at the end of the Exercise, the Python must have swallowed all the bandits, rustlers, terrorists, kidnappers, robbers and militants in the country. The Python will also swallow thugs and other
miscreants that may raise their heads to disturb peace in the country.

“It is also meant to address the issue of fake news and unpatriotic elements that are impeding military operations and demoralizing forces at the expense of national security.

Adding that the exercise is a realistic training package in Internal Security operations, clearance operations, emergency management, rescue operations, road blocks, cordon and search as well as anti – kidnapping and anti – cultism, reminded Nigerians to have at the back of their mind National Security while reporting issues of defense and security stressing that National Security was not “all comer’s affairs.”

Buratai, however, warned that “No one is permitted to divulge any information that is injurious to national security.

Reiterating that, “This is contained in the Official Secret Act 1962. “Section 1(3) of this Act state that a person who transmits any classified matter to a person to whom is not authorized on behalf of the government to transmit it; or obtains, reproduces or retains any classified matter which he is not authorized on behalf of the government to obtain, reproduce or retain, as the case may be, is guilty of an offence”.

He noted that prior to EX EGWU EKE III, Op AWATSE among others, have intensified operations to crack down the activities of illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism among others.

“It is worthy to note that operations conducted against economic sabotage by pipeline vandals and cultists as well as other criminals have achieved commendable successes as several vandals have been apprehended while other criminal elements especially cultists are on the run.

“The momentum of the operation must be sustained. We must continue to display professionalism in the discharge of our constitutional roles while acting in aid to civil authority.

He also warned the troops to avoid a situation whereby criminal elements infiltrate their ranks adding that they must also embark on Civil Military Relations activities like medical outreach and others.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Musa Yusuf, in his remarks said due to emerging contemporary security challenges, the need arose to initiate proactive measures to deal with threats to national security.

He explained that during the exercise, troops would be exposed to the rudiments of operating in the Field and would practice operational staff work, indoor telephone battle, conducts of raids, land/riverine patrols, checkpoint, cordon and search as well as battle map marking amongst other skills.

The GOC, further disclosed that all the activities will be carried out in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies with each playing its statutory roles in Internal Security duties as much as possible.

Importantly, as part of troops task, he revealed that there would be clearance of traffic gridlock especially along Apapa Oshodi Expressway as well as being involved in community support activities such as renovation of primary health care facilities and free medical outreach.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai, for conceiving the training initiative and providing direction, guidance and the resources to see to its achievement.

It was gathered that EX EGWU EKE was first carried out in 2016 with significant achievements. Also, EX EGWU EKE III has the mandate to provide adequate protection and security for the good people of Nigeria.

Immediately after the flag off by the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt Gen Tukur Buratai assisted by the Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on Security and Intelligence, Mr Ajanaku and traditional rulers, inaugurated two blocks of flats transit accommodation for officers.

In his brief, the Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Okoh Udoh said as the former GOC, 81 Division, he was mandated by the COAS to commence the banishment of shanties within the barracks hence the foundation laying ceremony took place in January 2018.

He stressed that the idea of officers mini transit camp was enunciated to alleviate accommodation problems for officers and their families.

Present at the flag off ceremony were the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Apapa, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Ikeja, Director, State Security Services, Lagos state, Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, representative of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Egbetokun, heads of other security agencies, traditional rulers and some retired military officers.