Expect operation Crocodile Smile III, Egwu Eke Dance III, others in 2018 –Buratai

Regardless of the public outcry against the deployment of soldiers in civil matters across the country, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has hinted that the Nigerian Army will again conduct more of such exercises like operation Crocodile Smile III and Egwu Eke Dance III in 2018.

He also said that the Army will also conduct operation Harbin Kunama III among other exercises in 2018 in order to assist civil authorities to deal with internal security challenges in parts of the country.

The Army chief stated this on Friday when he spoke to newsmen after leading troops on a 15km Route March in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,

In 2016 and 2017, the Army carried out exercise Harbin Kunama I and II respectively to deal with the issue of cattle rustling and herdsmen/farmers clashes in parts of North-West and North-Central.

While Niger Delta witnessed Operation Crocodile Smile meant to address issues of pipeline vandalism, oil theft and piracy in 2017, the South-East same year had the Army-conducted Operation Egwu Eke (Python) Dance, meant to tackle violent agitation and kidnapping.

Following the clamour that a special military exercise should be conducted to address recurring herdsmen/farmers clashes in Benue, Taraba and Nasawara states, Buratai was asked if the military was thinking of a particular situation for the coming exercise.

He said in his response, “Well, we are not thinking of any particular situation, we are going to train on general areas which could include that aspect (Benue killings) as well. But our focus will be to ensure that security is provided across the country.

“So, definitely, expect Harbin Kunama III; Crocodile Smile III and Egwu Eke Dance III and probably another exercise coming which will be made known at the appropriately time.”

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Charging the troops to be ready at all times because some of them may be deployed to any part of the country at short notice for operations to assist civil authorities to tackle internal security challenges, Buratai said that he had approved funds for training to ensure “robust trainings” in 2018.

He added, “This is to enable us to accomplish the task assigned to us by the Commander-In-Chief.”

 

 

 

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