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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