Operation Crocodile Smile: Don’t panic, Army tells N/Deltans

Th e Nigerian Army has urged residents in the Niger Delta region not to panic as troops commences movement of military hardware to Edo, Delta and Ondo states, ahead of the launch of “Crocodile Smile,” on Saturday.

Th e Army said this yesterday in a statement signed by Mohammed Maidawa, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4th Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin.

Th e Army said it is “a training and operations exercise” aimed at curbing criminality in the region.

Maidawa, a captain, said the initiative was designed to enhance the combat skills of soldiers and also to create an enabling platform that would promote the relationship between the military and indigenes of the aff ected states.

According to the statement, during the exercise, the operatives would also undertake free medical outreach, quick impact projects and environmental sanitation, among other communityrelated events in the aff ected states to promote military-civil relationship.

Th e army added the motive behind the exercise was not meant to fi ght any individual or groups in the region.

“In line with the Nigerian Army Training Directive for the year 2017, troops of Headquarters 4 Brigade Nigerian Army and its units in Edo, Delta and Ondo states would be conducting a training exercise code-named Exercise Crocodile Smile ll.

“Th e general public is enjoined not to panic on sighting movement of troops and heavy equipment.

It is a routine training undertaken by the Brigade as captured in the Nigerian Army training directive 2017.

“It will also aff ord troops the opportunity to train eff ectively on various aspects of operational profi ciency in land and riverine operations.

It is hoped that this will sharpen the combat skills of own troops in the Nigerian Army capability.

“Th e exercise is scheduled for 7th to 28th October, 2017, in the Brigade’s area of responsibility.

Th e exercise will commence with a number of precursor activities such as civil-military cooperation.

Th is will include medical outreach, quick impact projects, environmental sanitation and donations of educational materials to schools.
 

 

 

r the south-south and south east zones.

Leave a Reply