The Nigerian Army said yesterday
that it decided to embark on Operations Python Dance 11 and Crocodile Smile 11
in the South East and South South geopolitical zones of the country in order to
tackle the rising challenges of militancy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism.
The Chief of Army Staff,
Lt. General Tukur Buratai, stated this while speaking at the executive session
of the ongoing 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Port Harcourt,
the Rivers State capital.
He said the ongoing
Operation Mesa in Northern states and the Middle Belt is aimed at tackling
challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen-farmers clashes and kidnapping.
Buratai, who was
represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army,
Major-General Enobong Okon Udoh, said the exercises are aimed at focusing the
personnel to relative professional scenarios as against stimulated training
sessions.
He said, “The core value
that emanate from professionalism and responsiveness in my own opinion include
training, welfare, operational exigencies, logistics, civil-military
cooperation, interagency cooperation and observance of human rights.
“Typical examples of
pillar of professionalism and responsiveness are the exercises that the
Nigerian Army has been conducting in all established areas in the country.
These exercises are aimed at focusing the personnel to relative professional
scenarios as against stimulated training situations.
“Exercise Hadi Kunama
11, which took place in Southern Kaduna and Samgore forest in Kaduna respectively,
the clearing operation in Niger and Zamfara States as well as the forthcoming
Exercise Crocodile Smile 11 and Exercise Egwu Eke, which is ongoing are typical
examples.
“More of such exercises
are being planned to tackle existing security challenges in the country. The
challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen-farmers clashes and kidnapping in some
Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of
Operation Mesa.
“In the same light, the
challenges of militancy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the Southern part
of the country have been accorded adequate attention in the Nigerian Army order
of service.”
In his
presentation, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the a total of 259
bills have so far been presented to the 8th Senate, out of which 147 have been
read for the third time and passed into law.
Saraki, who was
represented by the chairman, Senate Committee on Media, Senator Sabi Abdullahi,
said a total of 143 bills have passed through the second reading, while 11 others
were harmonized, with 14 rejected.
Meanwhile, responding to
LEADERSHIP Weekend enquiries, Army spokesman, Sani Kukasheka Usman, said
Nigerians will be informed when the Operation Crocodile Smile will commence in
the Niger Delta region.
“You will be informed at
the appropriate time”, Usman said while responding to question on when the
operation will commence.
Anambra APC Commends FG
For Proscribing IPOB
Meanwhile, the Anambra
state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the federal
government for proscribing the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.
Acting Chief Judge of
the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Adamu Kafarati, had based on an exparte
application brought before him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made an order proscribing IPOB on
the ground that the organisation is a terrorist group.
APC, in a press
statement issued yesterday in Awka by the state publicity secretary, Mr. Okelo Madukife,
congratulated the federal government for securing the order of the court to
proscribe IPOB and urged parents, guardians and youths in the South East to
comply with the order to avoid the consequences of disobeying the court.
IPOB
Members Who Attacked Hausas Must Be Apprehended – Sanusi II
Meanwhile, the Emir of
Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has said that members of IPOB who attacked Hausa
communities in the South East must be arrested and prosecuted.
In his Friday sermon,
Emir Sanusi reminded the security agencies that it remains a duty to protect
the lives and properties of every Nigerian anywhere, including protecting the
lives of Muslims who are threatened and allegedly attacked in the Southern part
of the nation.
Sanusi II intensified
calls to fellow Muslims to desist from rumours, act of wickedness and avoid
harming the harmless, as Allah abhors such practice.
He said, “We are aware
of what was happening to our dear Muslim brothers and sisters in the Southern
part of the country. We are reminding ourselves that Islam is a religion built
on holding on to pledges. Islam is a religion built also on trust.
“Every believer living
amongst us is a beneficiary of such pledge and trust. Muslims are ordained by
Allah to hold on to trustworthiness and keeping promises”.
According to him Allah
has instructed Muslims to fulfill to promises made in good faith and must not
disregard the pledges just because of an ill motive to win over other interests
or people of different faith.
He quoted the tradition
of Prophet of Islam as reported by famous Islamic scholar, Abu-Hurairah which
says “whoever kills any soul among those he pledges to live together and in
peace shall not smell the pleasant perfume of paradise”.
Muhammad Sanusi reminded
that the Christian brothers and sisters residing in Kano are direct
beneficiaries of the pledges and trust and it is forbidden to stage an attack
on their lives and properties.
Don’t
Reintroduce Operation Crocodile Smile, PANDEF Tells Military
The Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF) yesterday asked the military authorities not to reintroduce
operation crocodile smile in the area.
In a statement issued by
its coordinating secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, PANDEF said there has been
relative peace in the Niger Delta region, following the understanding reached
with aggrieved agitators who have consistently demonstrated the primacy of
dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts rather than destruction of oil
and gas assets in the region.
Mulade said, “PANDEF
therefore is of the strong opinion that whatever actions on the part of
government that will undermine this much desired hard earned peace process
should be discouraged. It is on this premise that PANDEF was taken aback by the
announcement of the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig- General Sani
Usman, of the readiness of the Nigerian Army to Launch ‘Operation Crocodile
Smile 11’ in the Oil-rich South-South Region, just as ‘Operation Python Dance’
was being deployed in the South-East zone of Nigeria, which has elicited mixed
reactions from wide range stakeholders.
“Whilst it is not
the position of PANDEF to challenge operational deployments of Nigerian
soldiers in any part of the Nigeria in accordance with best practices and rules
of engagement, and without prejudice to the constitutional role of
the Military in a democratic setting, we however observed that this
contemplated deployment of the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile 11’ is certainly
misadvised, especially at this time when the region is gradually coming to
terms with the urgent need for sustaining the relative peace in the region”.
The statement added that
the previous launch of the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta last
year left in its trail bitter tales of woes, including harassment, destruction
of helpless communities and killings of innocent persons.
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