Army ends ‘Operation Python Dance’‎ in South-East

The one-month military exercise in South-East Nigeria, code-named ‘Operation Python Dance’, officially ends tomorrow.
The Nigerian Army had introduced the exercise, to curb crime in the geopolitical zone during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 82 Division, Col. Sagir Musa, however, said troops will continue to maintain road blocks and check points.
A statement by Col. Musa noted that the “GOC was also at the Niger Bridge to assess the state of security and vehicular movements.”

He said: “It would be recalled that traffic gridlock has for many years, especially during the yuletide, been endemic on the Niger Bridge in both Asaba and Onitsha axis inflicting suffering and other inconveniences to the road users.
“Hence, parts of the targets for the exercise is to checkmate the usual gridlock, chaos and insecurity at the bridge.
“This objective has so far been achieved. Since the start of Exercise Python Dance, there has not been cases of gridlock and associated insecurity on the Asaba-Onitsha bridge.
“The orderliness, the disposition of combined security personnel and the public conduct, especially the road users, is commendable.”