Operation Python Dance, Crocodile Smile in Nigerians’ interest —Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the Operation Python Dance 2 embarked upon by the Nigerian Army in the South East as well as the Operation Crocodile Smile 2 in the South South and South West zones were meant to tackle existing/emerging security challenges around the country.

He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties while it would continue to obey the rule of law and remain guided by the rules of engagement.

Buratai stated these yesterday in a paper he presented at the executive session of the second day of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, said: “The Nigerian Army belongs to the Nigerian people and it is poised to remain the pride of the nation and the last man in its defence.

“In order to maintain the pride, I have laid structures for effective leadership and personnel management, because the Nigerian Army must strive to remain an institution of authority that creates responsibilities, provide direction, inspiration, vision and communicate same to personnel at all times.

“By going in this direction, the Nigerian Army is poised to confront evolving internal and external threats, in order to guarantee the sovereignty of our dear country.

“In so doing, we are avowed to remain firmly apolitical in order to always find ourselves in a good stead to defend our constitution by providing the needed security environment as a guarantee for the survival of our democracy.”

Buratai also stated that his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time Boko Haram insurgents had instilled fear in the psyche of Nigerians and most of the troops’ locations were lost to the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

He noted that quite unfortunately, many officers and men of the Nigerian army lost their lives to insurgency, leading to a general dampening of troops’ morale and fighting spirit across the entire theatre.

The army chief stressed that upon his appointment, he was naturally confronted with the urgent need to take workable measures aimed at reversing the ugly trend and begin a positive drive towards winning a decisive victory against the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The location is now a training area designated Lt. Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range. The troops are almost through with ongoing efforts at completely flushing out remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts in other parts of the forest.

“The challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and kidnappings in some Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of Operation MESA in all the states in the country.

“The challenges of increased militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping in the Southern part of the country have been accorded appropriate attention.”

Buratai also stated that under his watch, the performances of troops in assigned operational tasks were being complemented by sustainable welfare programmes.

He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support for the Nigerian Army while reassuring him of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

The session was chaired by a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. It also had in attendance a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile; and the President of NGE, Funke Egbemode, among other eminent personalities.

Papers were also presented by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, among others.