Nigerian Air Force deploys fighter jets and aircrafts to support Operation Python Dance

NIGERIAN Air Force (Naf) commanders have deployed some its aircraft to the southeast geo-political zone including its newly acquired Alpha Jets to support troops participating in Operation Python Dance II.

Highly controversial, Operation Python Dance II involves using troops to patrol Igboland where agitation for the creation of an independent republic of Biafra is currently ongoing. Biafran campaigners claim that the operation is an attempt to intimidate them and over recent weeks, there have been clashes between the Nigerian Army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob).

There have been increased calls for the Nigerian Army to end the operation and pull its troops out to ease the tension. However, defying such calls, military commanders have deployed jet fighters to its 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to support Operation Python Dance.

According to the Naf, the essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover to the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency. Naf added that the operation officially began on September 15 and was planned to cover the entire southeast geo-political zone.

Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, Naf's spokesman, said: “The wide expanse of the exercise area and the request by the Nigerian Army for close air support made the involvement of Naf inevitable. Exercise Egwu Eke II is aimed at combating security challenges in the southeastern part of the country and the deployment of the air assets in support of the Nigerian Army is in fulfilment of one of the constitutional mandates of the Naf.”