Crocodile Smiles in Niger Delta

Matilda Omonaiye/

Niger Delta region is the latest host to the barnstorming military exercise code named ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’.

According to the Nigerian Army, troops have been deployed to the six states in the Niger Delta for the commencement of the exercise that arrived in the Southwest last week.

Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, spoke about the development today while addressing troops to signal commencement of the exercise.

Udoh said that the operation was confidence building patrol rather than a show of force as widely reported.

He said, “Operation Crocodile Smile is not a Show of Force but a confidence-building patrol that seeks to reassure the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta that the army is ready to work.

“We are ready to work in close synergy and collaboration with other security services and agencies of government to ensure that there is peace and security for the people.

“Our operation aims to reassure the public that we are ready to fight crimes like cultism, militancy, and kidnapping so that people can go about their business without fear.”

Udoh added that troops would carry out collaborative patrols with the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Department of State Security (DSS).

Others are Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Customs Service and personnel of the Nigerian Prison Service.

He said that the division would carry out the exercise in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states while another formation would cover other states in the Niger Delta.

He said, “Army, police and other security services were established to ensure peace, enforce law and order and create the enabling environment for economic activities to thrive.

“This is our ultimate mandate, and, as such, we urge Nigerians to give us the necessary support to enable us to succeed.”

The 3-week exercise is from October 7 to 28.

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