LTo curb the tide of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian army has started “Operation Crocodile Smile III” exercise across the states of the regions.

Exercise Crocodolie Smile III is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes (Picture source: NaijaNews)

On 23 October, the army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, said the exercise was a training for the soldiers of 13 Brigade. According to him, the exercise is designed to include riverine and land operations. He said the main aim is to monitor the creeks by tackling kidnapping, militancy and armed robbery. He added that “This exercise has been designed to enable officers and soldiers of 13 Brigade to show their proficiency in internal security.

The acting assistant director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2nd Brigade, said that the operation started on Monday October 22 and would last till November 22. “In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for 2018 which tasked the Headquarters of the 6th Division to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region. “This is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes“, he said.

He added that “other activities to be carried out include medical outreaches, sanitation exercise, distribution of items to orphanages, distribution of sporting equipment to schools, distribution of items to market women and sinking of borehole in selected local government areas.”

The Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brig. Gen. Charles Okulide, disclosed that 800 security personnel drawn from the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence and Immigration would be participating in the one-month exercise.