The Nigerian Army has kicked off a security operation termed ‘Exercise Python Dance’ in the five South East states as part of efforts to ensure a hitch –free yuletide period, with a stern warning to groups that threaten peace in the area that they would be the target if they stir up any trouble within the period.

The one month exercise expected to end on December 27, 2016 is already gathering momentum as its step –up headquarters located at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka was yesterday decorated appropriately with Army camouflage.

It is expected that at the end of the programme, the Army would remain on ground to maintain peace in the various communities in the geo-political zones in the state.

Addressing Journalists on the programme, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sagir Musa, said that the prevalent security issues such as armed robbery, kidnapping, abduction, herdsmen-farmers clashes and violent secessionist attacks, among others, would be the major focus of the exercise.

While noting that the exercise became necessary because of the rise in violent crimes during the Christmas period, he said that any group that threatened the security of the nation in the zone would be disarmed.

Col. Musa said that for the purpose of the exercise, there would be increase in the number of soldiers in the state as well as check points in the zone, adding that troops would also be moving from one point to the other to maintain peace.

He said, “After the exercise, the Army would continue to maintain internal security in line with the existing joint security task forces in the states.

“The military would not hesitate to apply the rules of engagement to deploy troops to deal with secessionists as appropriate.

“It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, having painstakingly appraised the myriad of security challenges and scenarios across the country, directed on the conduct of both command post and field training exercises as a way of enhancing troops preparedness across the spectrum of contemporary challenges.

“The Exercise Python Dance has been planned for the South East region from 27 November-27 December, 2016. The exercise would be multi-agency in nature whereby the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are expected to synergise and collaborate extensively and an elaborate civil-military cooperation line of operation has been planned during the exercise.

Col. Musa further said that the Nigerian Army Corps and Services would also conduct activities such as medical outreach, repairs of roads, schools, and other infrastructure across the South East region saying that the Chief of Army Staff has directed that a contingent of durable mechanism be imbued in the overall planning and execution of the exercise to achieve a hitch-free yuletide for the entire region.

It would be recalled that as part of the Army’s field training exercises across the country, there had been similar operations in the North East, North West, South West and Niger Delta.