TheCable

The South East Revival Group (SERG) has spoken on the reintroduction of the military exercise, otherwise known as Operation Python Dance III in Nigeria, particularly the south east region.

The group said the launch of the exercise has sent criminal elements out of the south-east.

SERG pledged that the Igbos would give the troops support in the course of their operation to ensure free and transparent election.

Charles Mbani, president of the group, told reporters in Abuja that Operation Python Dance I & II helped in reducing incidents of armed robberies and banditry in the south-east states.

Mbani called on the army to ensure that members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) or any other organization do not deprive voters in the southeast, especially in Ebonyi and Abia states.

“We are not unaware of the mixed reactions that have trailed the launch of the exercise at the various brigades across the country,” he said.

“Being a group that has been in the tick of the affairs in the southeast, which has hosted the earlier editions of Operation Python Dance, we are in position to offer a fair assessment and projection of what to expect from the nationwide exercise.

“The earlier versions of the operation held solely in the states of southeast as training exercises that dealt with incidental crimes.

“It is on record that these first and second versions of Operation Python Dance, which we know locally as Exercise Egwu Eke I and Exercise Egwu Eke II, were initially opposed by those that did not appreciate what was achievable. We can categorically state that after Exercise Egwu Eke I held with remarkable success, people were less critical of Exercise Egwu Eke II, which has made Operation Python Dance III record better reception than the two preceding editions.

“In those two initial editions were instrumental for certain milestones in the southeast as itemized below:

“Operation Python Dance I & II helped reduce incidents of armed robberies and banditry in the five states. Because the exercises were held towards the Yuletide season, towns and cities that use to come under siege of criminal elements practically celebrated the season with reduced crimes.

“The impact was such that our brethren in the Diaspora, who used to be wary of returning home are now able to not only visit home but also spend quality time with us. Because they are able to spend time at home without feeling threatened we are now beginning to see in them an appetite for investing at home, which was not the case before the initiation of Operation Python Dance. Had Operation Python Dance not held in our geo-political zone perhaps we would have today been in the same situation as the northwest geo-political zone where bandits are sowing terror in the hearts of the people.”