Army flags off Exercise PYTHON DANCE III in Lagos, Ogun

Joy Anyim

In a bid to address lingering challenges of thuggery and other criminal activities that could jeopardise the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Monday, flagged off Exercise Egwu-Eke III ( Ops. PYTHON DANCE III) in Lagos.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who flagged off the Exercise at the TY Buratai Sports Complex at Ikeja Cantonment said the exercise would swallow miscreants and criminals within the Area of Responsibility of the Division – Lagos and Ogun states.

Gen. Buratai said the nationwide exercise, which is in collaboration with sister security agencies, is important to s ensure peaceful general elections.

Speaking on the exercise which he said started nationwide in January, Gen. Buratai said  the exercise would extend to the second week in March.

He said, “ I am highly delighted to be here today for the flag off of Exercsie EGWU EKE III (Python Dance III) in 81 Division Area of Responsibility. 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 authority.

“ 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 want to assure Nigerians that at the end of the Exercise which is also conducted simultaneously by other divisions in the Army, the Python must have swallowed all the bandits, rustlers, terrorists, kidnappers, robbers, thugs, militants and  miscreants that may raise their heads to disturb peace in the country.”

While commenting on the issue of fake news,  the COAS said the Exercise will also address the issue of fake news as been perpetrated by unpatriotic elements in the country.

He called for priority to be placed on national security in the reportage of issues. “ The Exercise 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.

“ 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.

“ It is necessary to draw attention of well-meaning Nigerians that while reporting issues of defense and security, they must have at the back of their minds the importance of national security. Just as mentioned earlier, defense and national security is not all comer’s affairs. No one is permitted to divulge any information that is injurious to national security.This is contained in the Official Secret Act 1962,” he said.

He called on all well meaning Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that all effort must be made to save and protect the country from the claws of unpatriotic elements fighting to pull the country down, saying “ Giving out official information or spreading fake news is inimical to national security.”

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Giving further insight into the exercise, as well as admonishing the troops  Buratai said, “ We must continue to display professionalism in the discharge of our constitutional roles while acting in aid to civil authority. Do not provide any opportunity for criminal elements to infiltrate your ranks. You must also embark on Civil Military Relations activities like medical outreach and others.

“ Let me use this opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Nigerian Army and our mandate in aid to civil authority. Accordingly, Ex Egwu- Eke III has the mandate to provide adequate protection and security for the good people of Nigeria. I am also calling on all law-abiding citizens to provide troops adequate support and cooperation, especially timely information to enable them to accomplish their task.

“ I assure you of adequate logistic and operational support throughout the conduct of this Exercise. You must deal decisively with the criminals where observing strict rules of engagement  and ensure the right of law abiding citizens are protected. I wish you good luck as we commence Exercise Egwu- Eke III in 81 Divisoin Area of Responsibility and Nigeria.”

In his remark,  the General Officer Commanding 81 Division,  Major General Musa Yusuf said the exercise was embarked on to prepare troops for the forthcoming general elections.

Yusuf said,  “ The Exercise is an Army Headquarters level exercise designed for all Nigerian Army formations and units in conjunction with other security agencies in preparation for the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

“ The Exercise is aimed at sharpening the skills of personnel in the conduct of internal security operations in flash points across the 2 states in 81 Division area of Responsibility. The exercise is also planned to have an operational edge based on actual intelligence. Hence, Exercise EGWU EKE III ls conceptualized to combat reaI-time, the prevailing security challenges in the country which dissident groups and criminal elements might exploit to foment troubles particularly during the 2019 General Elections.”

Present at the Flag off ceremony was The Governor of Lagos State who was represented By Special Adviser on Security, Mr.  Adekunle Ajanaku,The Police,  the Navy,  DSS,  The Air Force,  NSCDC, the Nigerian Prison Service amongst others.