Politics
Army begins exercise Crocodile Smile III in N’Delta, gives reasons
The Nigerian Army has once again commenced exercise Operation Crocodile Smile III across the states of the Niger Delta.
It said the reason for staging the exercise is to stem the tide of “pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes”.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, disclosed this in a statement he released in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday.
He said that the exercise which kicked off on Monday October 22, would last till November 22, 2018.
He said, “In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for Year 2018 which tasked Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom State.
“In view of this, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo will from Monday 22 October to 22 November 2018 conduct Exercise Crocodile Smile III.
“This is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes.“
The Army said during the exercise that it will also carry out free medical outreaches, sanitation exercise, distribution of items to orphanages, distribution of sporting equipment to schools, distribution of items to market women and sinking of boreholes in selected local government areas.
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Saying that there would be movement of troops and equipment during the period of the exercise, he called on the public to go about their lawful businesses without panicking.
He meanwhile, warned members of the public more specifically, residents of Ikot Abasi and Mbo Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom to keep away from the exercise area.
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