SOUTH-EAST SENATE CAUCUS DEFEND NNAMDI KANU, BLAST NIGERIAN ARMY

The South - East Caucus in the Senate on Tuesday criticised the ongoing military campaign in the south- eastern states codenamed Operation Python Dance .

The caucus lamented military invasion of remote villages around Umuahia, the Abia State capital , particularly the alleged incursion into the country home of the Independent Peoples of Biafra leader , Nnamdi Kanu.

Chairman of the Senate South- East Caucus , Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe , in a statement , stated that such actions suggested willful personalisation of the operation and deliberate abuse of the people’ s fundamental rights .

He said the caucus was sad that the military chose a time when the caucus had engaged the IPOB leadership and extracted commitment from them that their agitations would be strictly non -violent and in conformity with international best practices.

Abaribe said , “ We had hoped that our ongoing engagement with the group would be given a chance but here we are with a hurried military action deep into a highly populated area with high propensity for casualty , which occurrence would rather escalate the already tense situation.

“ It is more worrisome that military operation , ‘ Python Dance 2 , ’ restricted to the South - East in a peace time, has no doubt fouled the environment and sent strong signal that the region is under siege, which should not be so in a democracy .

“ We , therefore , urge extreme caution and advise the military to de - escalate the situation and choose the best operational modus that will not only guaranty the safety of Nigerians but also enhance national unity.

“ Nigeria is not at war , people are only exercising their constitutional and universally guaranteed rights , so far they are carrying on in a manner that has never given room to violence which could warrant a wholesale military expedition.”