As reactions continue to greet
the deployment of military forces under the name, Operation Python Dance 11
(Egwu Eke Ebo) to south-eastern part of Nigeria, youths from the south-south
region of the country have called for the immediate proscription of Indigenous
People of Biafra, IPOB before it gets too late.
IPOB is a group under the
leadership of Nnamdi Kanu agitating for the rebirth of the defunct Republic of
Biafra.
The group, under the aegis of
Youths of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, while welcoming the launch of the
military operation in the region, observed that if Kanu and his group are not
urgently tamed, Nigeria might be witnessing another heavy bloodbath.
Speaking at a press conference
held in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital on Friday, the National
Co-coordinator of the ebullient youth group, Augustine Adeh said the recent
attacks on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State by hoodlums identified as IPOB
members was a clear indication that a military operation is needed to contain
extreme tendencies set in motion by IPOB’s campaign of hatred which is
spreading to some states in the South-south.
According to the youth leader,
the group strongly warned Kanu to be ready to face the consequences if his
group continues to prevent soldiers from carrying out their legitimate
functions in the region.
Adeh said, “To us this launch of
the operation is not unconnected with the success recorded by Operation Python
Dance of 2016, which was widely credited for reducing crimes in the region
before the Christmas festivities of that year.
“It is for this reason that those
of us in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers remain elated at the launch of
Operation Python Dance II. The operation is well received in our states and it
is not for nothing that it is so.
“We are therefore concerned that
Operation Python Dance II is at the risk of becoming the casualty of politics
and criminality in the South-east . While the operation is well received in
Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers but being rejected only in some selected
states of the south east, whose people’s interest it is meant to serve.
“It is most disappointing that
all the wrong reasons are being adduced for maligning this operation. These
include allegations that the soldiers were deployed because of the secession
bid of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization
of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Biafra Zionists Movement and other
groups that are campaigning for the balkanization of Nigeria. There have also
been the false claim that the military exercise is an invasion.
“The attacks on innocent
Nigerians in Rivers state by hoodlums that identified as IPOB members is proof
that a military operation is needed to contain extreme tendencies set in motion
by IPOB’s campaign of hatred. The attacks justify our call for IPOB’s
criminality to be dealt with at its birthplace before it spread to other parts
of the country same way that Boko Haram terrorism did.
The youth group also lauded the
Nigerian Army for its timely intervention towards tackling kidnapping, armed
robbery and other criminal activities in the region.
Adeh added, “We are concerned
that the Igbos, particularly those under the influence of IPOB leader, Nnamdi
Kanu’s hazy state of mind must have something up their sleeves to attract the
vehement rejection of the military exercise to the extent of using it to incite
nationwide crisis.
“While we had anticipated that
criminals would kick against the operation, we did not envisage that they will
attempt to stand truth on its head by purveying fake news. Of particular note
is Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who goofed by describing his client and IPOB
as “innocent, unarmed and defenceless”. Such assertion is blasphemous to say
the least. Such falsehood could only have been peddled by someone addicted to
twisting facts for a living. Ejiofor manufactures lies and hate and churns them
out at pace meant to unsettle the general public,” he added.
He appealed to the Nigerian Army
not to be swayed by the campaign of calumny and blackmail against its
operation.
“We similarly appeal to Nigerians
in other states to please understand the severity of the issue under
consideration. The IPOB fanatics are courting public sympathy, including
staging attacks to provoke soldiers on their mission and it is a trick that
well-meaning Nigerians must not fall for. In fact, we expect that anyone
apprehended in connection with attacks on soldiers should be matched with
existing Police crime database as they would be proven to be the same people
behind the spate of kidnapping, armed robberies and drug dealing in the region.
“We call on the police to
immediately arrest and prosecute Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, for
conspiracy to breach the peace through the misrepresentation of fact. The
police should also heighten its state of alertness in other states of the federation
to arrest any person or group of persons that try to disrupt the peace.”
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