The Nigerian Army has announced the end of the Python Dance (Egwu Eke II) exercise in the Southeast.
Maj. Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar, General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Nigerian Army, made the announcement on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai via a statement on Sunday by Colonel Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division.
The ceremony took place on Saturday night in Sector 1 Tactical Headquarters at Umuahia, Abia state, with the traditional activation of camp fire to formally signify the successful completion of the exercise.
Abubakar commended all the officers, soldiers and personnel of paramilitary organizations that collaborated,synergized and worked commendably throughout the one month period for the eexercise.
”The achievements recorded in the areas of attainment of the mission specific training objectives, improvement in peace and security, curtailing the menace of violent irredentist groups in the theatre of the exercise is remarkable.” he said.
Emmanuel Nwabuko, representative of the Abia state governor, expressed appreciation of the government and residents for the numerous achievements of Exercise EGWU EKE II in terms of improvement of peace, security and stability of the state.
He traced the collaborative relationship with the Nigerian Army to 2010-2011 ”when kidnappers, armed robbers and other hoodlums paralyzed economic and social activities in the state”.
“It was the army that rescued us. So, we are ready to always leverage on this relationship whenever the need arises,” Nwabuko said.
In attendance were representative of the Chief of Training and Operations Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Ndalolo, Defence Headquarters Observer Team led by Commodore Shammah, Security Adviser to Abia state Governor, Captain (rtd) Idonsi Awa and the Commanders of 14 and 34 Brigades, Brigadier Generals A.K. Ibrahim and I.H. Bature.
Others were the Commanders of 44 Engineer Brigade, 82 Division Garrison, and Supply and Transport Brigadier Generals – Mark Mamman, L.A. Adegboye and E.A. Anaryu.
