The Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Anambra State, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta has said that the ongoing Operation Python Dance exercise being conducted by the Nigerian Army in the South Eastern part of the country and Anambra in particular has been unnecessarily politicized by some elements in the state who were out to cause disaffection among the inhabitants of the state.
Nnacheta who made this known in a statement he issued in Awka on Thursday said that the exercise had been mis-presented by some persons as an exercise designed to inconvenience the Igbos and in particular Ndi Anambra adding that it was mischievously propagated in some quarters as a terrible Christmas gift to our people.
While observing that Governor Obiano’s statement on the exercise had been distorted by malicious persons on the social media, he however pointed out that the Government and people of Anambra State were appalled at that nefarious efforts and condemn it emphatically.
The Commissioner who maintained that Anambra State was today the safest state not only in Nigeria but in the entire West Africa also insisted that the giant strides in having a safe and secure Anambra State had taken a long leap since the assumption of office by Governor Obiano 33 months ago.
According to him,”Before this era, kidnappers and other extremely violent criminals were almost overrunning the state, forcing businesses and families to relocate from our state and move to places like Lagos and Abuja. Our people also began to perform odd things like conducting traditional marriage rites in such places. It is sadly true that some traditional rulers in our state kidnapped during the dark days are yet to be found to this day. We cannot therefore forget in a hurry our recent past.
“The ongoing Exercise Python Dance by the Nigerian Army in the Southeast has been mis-presented by some persons as an exercise designed to inconvenience the Igbos and in particular Ndi Anambra. It is, mischievously propagated by some quarters as a terrible Christmas gift to our people.
“The task of restoring peace and order in our state and ensure that Anambra State did become what some people may call a failed state marked by lawlessness was a cardinal and early task of the Willie Obiano administration. The State Government worked closely with the Security agencies to achieve the sustained success in the Anambra environment. Cooperation has been the key to the security of lives and property in our State. Members of these organisations discharged their duties to our state and its people professionally”.
Ogbuefi Nnacheta described the Operation Python Dance as a routine military exercise by the Nigerian Army in the Southeast of Nigeria as the exercise is not limited to the state saying that similar exercises had taken place in other geographical zones of the country without incidents and controversy.
“Exercise Python Dance is a routine military exercise by the Nigerian Army in the Southeast of Nigeria, not only Anambra State. Similar exercises have taken place in other geographical zones of the country without incidents or controversy; Niger Delta and North West being the most recent weeks ago.
“It is incorrect for some persons to suggest that Anambra State is at war or loggerheads with any sect, persons or organisations on account of the ongoing Military training exercise. Rather, the officers and men of the Nigerian Army are enjoined to discharge their duties with courtesy, thereby earning the respect of our people in the entire Southeast. We are informed that an elaborate Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Line of Operation has been planned during the Exercise. Activities such as medical outreach, repairs of roads, schools and other infrastructure across the South East Region”, he explained.
He therefore assured the people that the Anambra State Government would at all times ensure that the rights and comfort of her people which were non-negotiable were respected by all and sundry even as he added that the Government and Ndi Anambra should together continue to ensure that the state remained the safest part of Nigeria and West Africa and eager to welcome her kit and kin to a redoubtable holiday season.
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