By Musa M. Bologi Abuja —
In line with the Nigerian Army’s training directive for 2017, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, will from October 7 to 28, commence Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Southern part of the country. Th e operation would cover the entire Niger Delta region including its affi liated formations and units located within its entire area of responsibility (AOR). Th is would cover the core Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
A statement by Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said the “exercise is intended to train troops on admin, operational, logistics as well as civil-military cooperation aspects in a military operation, such as the provision of free medical care to host communities, Quick Impact Projects (QIP) and the conduct of sanitation exercises. Th e exercise, according to the statement, is for the benefi t of their host communities and distribution of educational materials to schools as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
It will also avail troops the opportunity to sharpen their combat skills in the conduct of land based as well as joint riverine operations. Th e exercise will also aim at imparting to the troops the importance of equipment maintenance, reconnaissance, inter-service and interagency cooperation, eff ective application of the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct as well as strict adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE), proff er handling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), captured or surrendered hostile elements in line with international best practices. In light of the foregoing, the authorities of 6 Division Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public as well as solicit their usual understanding and cooperation during the period of the exercise and beyond.
