The Abia State Government has urged the Nigerian Army to undertake its Operation Python Dance, the second with caution and urged the state residents to desist from confronting armed men in uniform while performing their duties. This is coming after at least seven people were reported to have sustained injuries in a clash between soldiers and members the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB on Sunday.
Deputy Governor of the state, Ude Oko Chukwu said the state government has the responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons resident in Abia State. He said Abia has been a peaceful state and it is the desire of the government to ensure that it remains so. He advised all persons living in the state to go about their lawful business without fear.
Meanwhile, the Southeast Governors’ Forum have expressed regret over Sunday’s clash, saying the incident came at a time they are making concerted efforts to broker peace between federal authorities and the Biafra agitators.
Director of Information of the Forum , Mike Udah, said the incident has punctured the peace moves initiated by the governors. The governors however appealed to the Federal Government to handle the situation in a mature way and disclosed that they would continue to do their best possible to ensure that the situation does not worsen.
In the meantime, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and the Ohaneze Ndigbo have condemned the operation Python Dance II, describing it as a deliberate ploy to gag the Southeast like a conquered territory.
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