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Nigerian army kills 23 militants in Niger Delta operation

Published

8 years ago

September 18, 2016

Nigerian army kills 23 militants in Niger Delta operation

No less than 23 militants were killed during a military operation in the Niger Delta tagged “Operation Crocodile Smile”.

That much information was revealed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, when briefing newsmen in Enugu yesterday.

Attahiru revealed that 91 illegal refineries as well as bunkering sites were destroyed during the operation and while also informing that the Army recorded four casualties.

The GOC warned that the Division will not relent in its role in stemming growing restiveness in the region, stating that it will continue to deal with any attempt at brazen attacks on critical national infrastructure, including oil and gas resources by militant groups.

“The exercise, Crocodile Smile ended not just as a training exercise, but also as a way of demonstrating the capacity and efficacy of the Nigerian Army to secure lives and property in the Niger Delta and South-east Nigeria.” He said.

Continuing, the GOC added that; “Unfortunately, three among our own troops got drowned in the general area of Brass in Bayelsa State due to a boat mishap, while another one was killed in action elsewhere around Obiozunmini near Obite in Onelga, Rivers State in a fire fight with the criminals/militants.

“Most importantly, the Division is ever committed to the strategic direction of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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