From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha, David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi and Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia

The Chief Ralph Uwazuruike- led faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), also called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), has advised the Federal Government to deploy soldiers of Operation Python Dance to the North East, where Boko Haram holds sway.

This was just as Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, on his part, urged soldiers on deployment for the exercise to conform to the rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties, while member representing Nnewi North Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Amala Anazodo, condemned the military exercise ongoing in the South East. She said there is no justification for the military exercise as there are no security challenges in the region.

The three spoke separately, yesterday, in reaction to the military exercise in the region.

Nnewi South Regional Administrator of BIM, Chief Anthony Nwodo, who represented Uwazuruike said Operation Python Dance has an ulterior motive of exterminating the Igbo nation and alleged that “it is because of the Biafra agitation that Operation Python Dance was sent to us.

“There is no ethnic group without crisis. They should withdraw the Python now. It was not launched in Boko Haram-controlled Areas, where herdsmen attacked residents and farmers and armed robbers/kidnappers infested Kaduna/Abuja highway.”

“What happens in the North is worse than what happens here, in the South, yet, they did not deem it fit to send soldiers. Let them come to us on intelligence advice on how to subdue criminals instead of pretending to be crime fighters when they are cowards” and added that IPOB is not a violent organisation and as such, soldiers are not needed in the South East.

Abia deputy governor, however, tasked the soldiers not to be caught in the web of false rumours going on in the state.

He also pleaded with residents of the state not to confront the military but report any rights abuses to the relevant authorities.

Chukwu advised residents of the state to refrain from spreading or giving attention to unfounded rumours peddled by those he described as “idle minds who want  to cause tension in the society.”

“The false alarm was raised last Thursday morning that  houses were being  burnt and people killed almost set the state on fire. But, the security agencies later confirmed the alarm as unfounded.

“There is no need to cause unnecessary tension and incite people against each other. There is no alternative to peace,” he said.

Anazodo, on his part, reiterated there was no justification for the military exercise as there are no security challenges in the region.

He  added that the military exercise should be discontinued to calm tension in the area and avoid further loss of lives and noted that while the military had the constitutional duty to carry out exercises in any part of the country.

“It must not be at the detriment of the civilian populace,” he said.