The Nigerian Army has said that its second Operation Python Dance in Abia State which is scheduled to begin today, Friday will go on. The development conflicts with the announcement made by the State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu that the troops would start withdrawing from the state on Friday.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Brig. Gen Sani Usman on Thursday in Abuja, the Army stated that the exercise will spread to all parts of the south – eastern states and last till the end of 2017.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from operation EGWU EKE II, crediting such information to Abia State Governor and the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army. This is not true. The Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregard such rumours.

“Consequently, we wish to state that exercise EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow (Friday) as scheduled. Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to commence the exercise to its logical conclusion.

“We wish to state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into the various state security outfits till the end of the year,” the statement said.

Governor Ikpeazu had on Thursday announced that the soldiers deployed to the state under the Operation Python Dance would begin pulling out of the state starting from Friday.