WIC faults Golden Dawn as new version of Python Dance

Slams S’East govts for inability to secure region
The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has faulted the massive deployment of troops and armaments in Igboland in the name of a peacekeeping exercise code-named ‘Golden Dawn’.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, yesterday, the Diaspora Igbo group argued that the Golden Dawn is another version of Python Dance, which reportedly left tears and blood in its trail.

Signed by the Chairman, Prof. Anthony Ejiofor, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Basil Onwukwe, the statement reads: “While the authors and architects of this exercise may see it as a path to a golden dawn, the Igbo nation and lovers of truth and justice see it as a prelude to a bloody red dawn.

“All arms of the military, the police and other paramilitary formations are involved in this exercise. It is telling that maintenance of law and order among civilian populations has now become the purview of the military as opposed to the police, whose statutory responsibility includes the maintenance of law and order in the society.”

According to news reports, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, launched this exercise in Enugu on Monday, October 4, 2021.

WIC noted the irony significance of launching the exercise in Enugu, while similar exercises were going on in some other localities.

The statement added: “Discerning minds can see through this subterfuge, as the regions and states that are truly in need of peacekeeping (Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, etc.), are not covered by this exercise.

“WIC is concerned that the stage is being set for a repeat of the atrocities of the python dance that consumed the lives of hundreds of Igbo youths. The COAS has already ordered the so-called Unknown Gunmen to surrender their arms or face the brutal force of the exercise.

Pray, if these phantom characters are unknown, how and why do we expect them to comply with this order?”

The group regretted the inability or unwillingness of South East governments to protect the lives, properties and livelihoods of Igho people.

“The just-concluded summit of the governors of the South East came up with another announcement of the formation of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit. Unless we dreamt it, we believe that this same outfit was launched with fanfare back in 2020. In fact, Chairman of the South East Security Committee, Gen. Obi Umahi (rtd.), the brother of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, resigned in protest against the lack of attention and/or support by the governors, to whom his committee submitted a security report in 2019, which was ignored until 2020.”