Buratai addresses Editors on imperative for Python Dance II, Crocodile Smile in South East, South South
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said that Nigeria was confronted with series of threats.
He also gave reasons for the Crocodile Smile and Python Dances of military operations.
Speaking on Friday in Port Harhourt, Rivers State capital, General Buratai, who was represented at the executive session of the 13th All Editors’ National Conference 2017 by General Officer Commanding (GOC), Six Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major-General Enobong Udoh, disclosed that the Nigerian Army decided to embark on Operations Python Dance II and Crocodile Smile II in the South-east and Southsouth geopolitical zones of the country, respectively, in order to tackle rising challenges of militancy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism.
He said the ongoing Operation Mesa in states in the North and the Middle Belt was aimed at tackling challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen-farmers clashes and kidnapping.
Buratai said the exercises were aimed at focusing the personnel to relative professional scenarios as against stimulated training sessions.
He said: “Our country is faced with a plethora of threats ranging from Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast with several others such as armed banditry, cattle rustling, armed robbery, piracy, militancy, cultism and cult-related violence, kidnapping and hostage-taking, pipeline vandalism, Illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft, Illegal refining of petroleum, herdsmen-farmers clashes, activities of IPOB and other separatist groups,” he said.
