Wednesday 13 September 2017

IPOB – Military violence: Senate caucus condemns Nigerian Army

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The military operation – codenamed Operation Python Dance – in Nigeria’s South-east has been criticised as ill-conceived and anti-rights by the senators representing the region.   


In a statement on Tuesday, the chairman of the South-east Senate caucus, said the Igbo senators viewed the military operation as one that could jeopardise their ongoing engagement with the Nnamdi Kanu-led separatist movement, IPOB, which the lawmakers suggested were exercising their constitutionally-backed rights.

The commencement of the Operation Python Dance 2 in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on Sunday, came with tension, as citizens, presumed to be members of IPOB, confronted with sticks and stones the soldiers parading the streets in what the Army called “show of force”.
Although IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, claimed the soldiers invaded the compound of Mr. Kanu and killed several persons, there was no evidence to back the claim. But a video footage showing a young man who sustained injury from gunshot and another one showing IPOB members confront soldiers with sticks and stones did emerge online.

The ongoing operation was intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities, the Army said in official position ahead of the commencement.
But the deployment of the soldiers provoked the violent confrontation that happened on Sunday, the Senate caucus said, and called for the des-escalation of the operation.   


- PT

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