Operation Python Dance: Military Did Not Kill Anyone In Abia — Army

The Nigerian army has denied overwhelming evidence that that it killed dozens of innocent unsuspecting civilians during the recent Operation Python Dance in Abia State.

It could be remembered that Elombah.com published several visual and audio evidences showing where and how soldiers, tortured and killed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB].

One of the videos was streamed LIVE online by a victim caught in a cross-fire when soldiers raided and killed dozens of unarmed civilians in the home of IPOB leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

After the said raid, the whereabouts of Mr Kanu, his father, who is a traditional ruler, and several family members have remained unknown amidst speculations that they were killed during the invasion.

Speaking with Punch, however, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division , Colonel Sagir Musa, stated that there is no evidence that people were killed in the Southeast during Operation Python Dance II.

He said reports that its personnel murdered members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were just hearsays.

According to him, “People were said to have been killed but these are hearsays, these are claims, these are assertions, these are rumours, with no evidence.

“Can you show me the dead bodies? And can you tell me who is responsible? Certainly you cannot do that. So I think the best option is to go to another question that we can verify.

“Let ’s be specific and direct, when we showed our presence in Abia State, the same way we have shown our presence in other states in the southeastern part of Nigeria, namely in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states, we were not quelling any riot because there was no riot at that time to quell.

“What we were doing, and we made it sufficiently clear, was an exercise. A Nigerian Army exercise! It is routine, it is normal. 

“We had it last year, and because it is a scheduled annual training exercise, we are having it this year, and next year, by the special grace of the Almighty.

“We will still conduct the exercise , Egwu Eke III (Python Dance III). Now we are on Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II ). So it is not something new.

“Well, without being immodest, not only me, even you asking that question, you are satisfied. 

“If you go to the police headquarters in all the states that Python Dance II is taking place, they will tell you that crime rate in the last few days has gone down.

“Even the Federal Road Safety Corps will tell you that accident statistics have gone down to a reasonable standard in the last few days.

“And I am telling you that in terms of agility, preparation, physical fitness, alertness and training objectives, I think we are gradually getting there. It is being achieved.

“So the obvious benefits are there.”

Reacting to the flagrant lie, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode‏ wrote oon his Twitter handle:

“Happy independence day Nigeria! Can @MBuhari now tell us what his army did to Nnamdi Kanu after invading his house and killing the people and dogs that were there? 

“If they arrested and detained him they MUST tell us. If they killed him they MUST release his body to his family.”

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