Army’s Operation Crocodile Smile, Like Python Dance Targeted At Killing Us — Igbo Youths Cry

Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) have alleged that the recently launched Operation Crocodile Smile Vl by the Nigeria Army is an effort to kill the youths of the region extra-judicially.

The group said the Nigerian security forces want to carry out a repeat of the 2017 Operation Python Dance, known in Igbo language as ‘Egwu Eke’.

The group in a statement issued on Thursday by the President and Secretary-General, Hon. Goodluck Ibem and Kanice Igwe respectively expressed surprise that the government will choose a region they described as peaceful to launch the Operation Python Dance.

“This move is ill-timed and ill-advised and also represents calculated attempt to use kinetic and brute force in administering a peaceful region. We recall that such operations by the Nigeria Army usually end in cutting our youth in the name and under the pretext of security enforcement. The infamous operation codenamed Python Dance or Egwu Eke in 2017 still haunts the collective memory of Southeast youth to this day. The aftermath of the highjacked #EndSARS protest was followed by loss of lives of youth in their prime” the youths alleged.

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COSEYL while insisting that the Army used the opportunity of the #EndSARS protest to kill Igbo youths in an extra-judicial manner reminded them that Boko Haram terrorists have held the North East, especially Borno State by the jugular in the past decade, calling on the Army and other security agencies to channel their energy towards restoring sanity in North East.

“It is on record that during the #Endsars protest, the army killed unarmed Mr Ebere Osuigwe, a 35-year-old young father of five (5) at his residence at Osuigwe lane, Aba, Abia state on his way to collect his phone from a neighbouring building. Another young man was killed by the army at Milverton street in Aba on the same day and other youth who were killed throwing the families of these slain persons into sorrow and anguish. That the Nigeria Army rather than focus its operation in Borno and other northern states where Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents have killed so many security agents, sacked many villages and took administrative control of some, and even have the effrontery to attempt the life of a sitting governor (assassination-style target) despite heavy security details attached leaves much to be desired.

“We are totally convinced that there could be sinister motives by the Nigeria Army’s Operation Crocodile Smile VI in the South East and South-South zone. The Army has lost the public confidence of the youthful population of the Southeast following the Egwu Eke target practice. The army protects what it calls ‘repentant Boko Haram terrorists,’ reintegrates them into the mainstream population, and even absorbs them into its ranks but yet declares war on South East and South-South youths for no reason other than calling for true federalism or wanting out of Nigeria for obvious leadership failure and perceived marginalisation.

“We advise the Nigerian Army to take its Operation Crocodile Smile Vl to Borno, Katsina, Adamawa, and other northern states ravaged by Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits. South-East is not in any war and is very peaceful. It is totally out of place to bring in the army to a very peaceful locality when its concentration should have been disturbed and troubled places within the polity” it says.