Python Dance III: Troops prevent inter-communal clash in Abia communities
Troops of Operation Egwu Eke III, also known as Operation Python Dance 3, have prevented inter-communal clash between two communities in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia.
Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Public Relations of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.
The statement was entitled; “Update on Exercise Egwu Eke III in South-East Geo-Political Zone.”
Musa said that the troops intervened following attacks of Nkwembi community by some misguided youths from Okagwe community of Ohafia council area on Jan. 9.
This, he said, led to the death of one person, with two persons reportedly missing, two houses and six vehicles burnt.
“This caused Nkwembi youths to re-organise for a counter attack, which troops of Sector 2 in 14 Brigade Area of Responsibility (AOR) assisted Ohafia Divisional Police Headquarters to contain.
“Normalcy has since been restored between the warring communities,’’ he said.
Similarly, he said that troops of Sector 5 in 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, prevented violent clash over possession and ownership of farm land between Nzam and Umenwelum communities in Anambra West Local Council Area.
“The incident led to the destruction of farms across the communities, but the situation was salvaged by the deployment of joint patrol teams to the conflicting communities.
“No life was lost, while government officials and other stakeholders are in control of the situation at the moment,’’ he said.
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Musa also noted that based on credible information, troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector 3 in 144 Battalion located along Osisioma, Aba general area of Abia, monitored and pursued three suspected armed robbers.
“The robbers abandoned two locally made double barrel guns wrapped on a tricycle and dashed into the surrounding bushes on sighting a patrol van.
“The tricycle and the arms will be handed over to the Police Command in Abia for further action,’’ the deputy director said.
Musa revealed that following a tip off, troops of Sector 2 in 14 Brigade AOR, in conjunction with some personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a raid on confirmed hideout of Indian hemp dealers in Atani and Ibom localities in Arochukwu council area of Abia.
“Consequently, five suspects were arrested; 25 parcels of Indian hemp and 17 already wrapped Indian hemp were recovered and are in custody of the NDLEA for further action,’’ he said.
Musa noted that based on intelligence of likely impending politically motivated violence in the build up to election campaigns by contending parties, troops had been conducting robust patrols in major identified flashpoints across the zone.
“These efforts are to provide a conducive environment for socio-economic and political activities by proactively checkmating anticipated crisis before, during and after the general elections, in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff,’’ he said.
According to him, the level of cooperation and information of intelligence value being received by troops and commanders of the operation in the zone from host communities is unprecedented.
NAN reports that the operation involved robust patrols, snap checkpoints, rescue missions, cordon and search operations, retraining of troops on contemporary challenges of internal security and coordinated inter-agency collaboration with other security agencies.
NAN
