Operation Python Dance: Southeast Governor, Senator back Nigerian Army

Operation Python Dance: Southeast Governor, Senator back Nigerian Army
Abdulkareem Haruna

Governor of Anambra State, Mr Willie Obiano, has Tuesday, in Enugu, defended the operations of the Nigeria Army in the southeast region, saying that the army is not an army of occupation.

Similarly, at a seperate event, the Senator representing Imo north senatorial district, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu, has charged Nigerians  to "always strive  to lend their support to the Military" in its quest towards protecting the nation's territorial integrity.

Senator Uwajumogu gave this charge on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 2016 annual Chief of Army Staff's Conference,  themed 'Consolidating on the Gains of Counter Insurgency Operations Towards achieving National Security in Nigeria'.

According to a statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Imo Senator who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Army, made the remark whilie representing the committee Chairman, Senator George Akume at the event.

"Senator Uwajumogu also assured that the Senate through its committee on Army, would continue to support the Army in its quest for a more united, peaceful, safe  and prosperous Nigeria", the statement reads.

"On the proposed launch of its security strategy code-named "Operation Python Dance" in the south east zone of the country, the Imo north Senator however called on the people of the zone not to panic with the obvious presence of the Military in their areas, as the exercise was aimed at adequately securing their environments, especially at this yuletide.

"He emphasized the total and increased collaboration between the Army and the Civilian population, adding that through intelligence sharing between them and other security outfits in the country, Nigeria would continue to remain one of the safest places to live in.

"He recalled the giant strides by the Military in the ongoing war against the Boko Haram  insurgency in the North eastern part of the country, noting that the sterling performance of the Military have further reposed the confidence Nigerians have in them as the number one force in Africa.

"Senator Uwajumogu, also thanked the Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, for his consistency in exhibiting first class leadership skills aimed at redeeming the  image of the Nigerian Army.

In an earlier event in Enugu, Governor Obiano who hosted the visiting chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai,  said the army meant well for the entire country.

"The Nigerian Army is not an army of occupation as being portrayed by some mischievous elements on the Internet", said executive Governor of Anambra State.

The Chief of Army Staff said under his watch, the Nigeria Army has been able to comply with the basic rules of engagement in discharging its constitutional roles.

He however allayed the fears of the people on  the issue of the operation Python dance.

"We will ensure that our troops conduct themselves professionally and responsibly during Exercise PYTHON DANCE".

The Nigeria army has recently launched Operation Python Dance, a simulation military training exercise designed to improve soldiers belligerent skills in the southeast.

But the exercise was being perceived as a ploy of the Federal Government of Nigeria  to clamp down on the southeastern region especially to frustrate the Biafran agitation which seeks an independent nation for most of the Igbo speaking southeast states.

The non term Python Dance may have been adopted from from the Republic of South Africa's legendary dance known Python Dance
or Venda Snake dance.

The Python Dance is usually  performed as a pre-marital initiation ceremony for young girls, which normally hold at the instance of the chiefs as the winter approaches.

Amidst some esoteric lores surrounding the tradition, the python dance is conducted when a young damsel attains puberty. The village chief choses his next wife during the ceremony.

Young girls will parade themselves as they  "dance fluidly, like a snake, to the beat of a drum, while forming a chain by holding the forearm of the person in front".

Once a wife has been chosen, the tribe spend the next few days with grooming and courting rituals.

Perhaps the Operation Python Dance of the Nigeria Army  is a metaphor for the  training of soldiers ahead a bigger task that borders on national security.