Chidi Samuel || Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, the apex socio-political umbrella group for the Igbo has called on the military hierarchy to terminate the on going military exercise code-named ”operation Python dance” in the South East.
Ohanaeze’s President General John Nwodo said Nigeria does not need such deliberate and proactive escalation of tensions and crisis.
He rather urged the government to use civilised and established practices to resolve our democratic and security challenges rather than resort to the use of brute force in resolution of issue of self-determination.
According to Nwodo, “Ohaneze Ndigbo considers this development as unfortunate. We believe that it is a deliberate invasion of a quiet homestead, an act of provocation and a continuing policy of intimidation.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo is left with no alternative than to conclude that this is a containment policy aimed at the South East to intimidate our people from freely expressing their anger and angst at their marginalisation and treatment as second class citizens.
“In a democracy, the level of disenchantment expressed by the people of the South East of Nigeria ought to have provoked a serious dialogue between our people and the Federal Executive and the Legislature.
“History teaches us that the continuous use of force to silence dissent and free speech will only accelerate the growth of dissent and dissatisfaction. Fundamental Rights of freedom of expression are critical for a successful democracy.”
Nwodo said claims that the operation is aimed at checking increased crime rate in the region had no evidence, adding that Python dance one was used to extort money from our people.
Nwodo stated that the first operation embarked upon by the military never addressed the issue of crime.
“Our people were shamelessly intimidated and harassed at these check points. Operation Python Dance 1 procured no arrests of criminals that were prosecuted for any of the criminal activities that Operation Python Dance II is supposed to address.
“Instead it witnessed reckless and indiscriminate murder of self-determination agitators in Asaba, Aba, Nkpor, and Port – Harcourt numbering up to 191 by the estimates of Transparency International and shattered public confidence of South Easterners in the Nigerian Army and police,” he added.