The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army says its current military siege on the South Eastern part of the Country will continue till October 14, 2017.

 The siege which has already disrupted socio-economic activities  in that part of the Country including extra-judicial killings of over 25 Nigerians and destruction of properties is styled 'Field Training Exercise Codenamed Exercise EGWU EKE (Python Dance ) II', by the military authorites.

 The Army whose target is the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB seeking separation from Nigeria however maintains that the exercise which started on 15th September is meant to sharpen the skills the troops in the conduct of Internal Security Operations.

 The Army which has since reduced the home of IPOB's leader, Nnamdi Kanu to rubbles, further argued that Python Dance is also aimed at  combating the security challenges in the South East and is well equipped to deal with the rising cases of insecurity such as kidnappings, farmers-herdsmen clashes, cultism, armed robbery, communal crisis, violent secessionist agitations, insurgency among others.

 Army has also declared IPOB a terrorist organisation, a move described as unconstitutional and failing to follow due process by legal experts, human rights organisations, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, amongst others.

 The Army in a statement explaining why the exercise must continue despite the hue and cry from Nigerians insisting on rule of law and decrying abuse of human rights by the Army stated that ''Some previous  successful military exercises include: Operation Sharan Daji in tackling livestock rustling and armed banditry in the Northwest; Operation Awatse to tackle militants and oil installation vandals in South-West, especially in the creeks between Lagos and Ogun States; Operation Shirin Harbi in addressing restiveness in the North-East, especially Bauchi and Gombe States; Op Shirin Harbi in containing the rein of killers in Southern Kaduna; Op Harbin Kunama in resolving rustling and armed banditry in forest along Sokoto-Zamfara axis and Op Crocodile Smile, popular in the South-South to combat Criminal elements engaged in the the destruction of oil pipelines and installations.

 ''The first PYTHON DANCE exercise was carried out in the South Eastern Region from 27 November – 27 December 2016. The peculiar security challenges in the region such as kidnapping, abduction, armed robbery, farmers – herdsmen clashes, communal crisis, traffic gridlock and violent secessionist agitation among others as the targets of this Exercise were successfully addressed''



  Army added that the exercise ''is aimed to enhance troops’ agility and preparedness across spectrum of contemporary and emerging security challenges peculiar to South Eastern Region. The Exercise is three in one, in that – it was – deliberately designed as – a Command Post Exercise that transmuted into Field Training Exercise and where necessary dovetailed into real time mission or activities such as anti kidnapping drills, Patrols, Raids, Cordon and Search, Check Points, Road Blocks and Show of Force.

 ''One interesting aspect of the Exercise is that it is multi agency in nature and execution. Relevant Para-Military organizations such as elements of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, State Security Services and Federal Road Safety Commission synergized and collaborated to ensure successful execution and attainment of outlined objectives.

 ''On the whole, the exercise has numerous objectives. Some of which are; to practice participating units on planning, preparation and conduct of Internal Security Operations, intensify training on Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Operations as well as to deter the activities of kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and violent secessionist agitators. Others are – synergizing with relevant Para- Military services to address the identified threats and sharpening the skills of troops towards curtailing current and emerging security challenges peculiar to the South Eastern Region''.

 The   Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa who signed the statement affirmed that Exercise EGWU EKE II is not targeted at any individual or group, as law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal businesses without fear.