Apprehension as army launches “operation crocodile smile 2” in Niger Delta Oct 7

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Palpable apprehension has gripped the people in the Niger Delta as officers and men of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, prepare to launch “Operation Crocodile Smile 2” in the Niger Delta from October 7.

Callers into a Cool, WAZOBIA, FM breakfast show in the early hours of Tuesday, expressed fear and reservation about the planned militarily exercise, citing example of what happened in Aba, in Abia state and Oyigbo in Rivers state, where members of the now outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) went on rampage burning Police stations and properties and mosque in response to alleged brush with the military.

Callers argue that the Niger Delta has been experiencing relative calm except for pockets of kidnappings and cult clashes, but no renewed incidence of bombing of pipelines as in the recent past.

The Army has allayed the fears of people, saying that the exercise would be for the welfare of the people of the region.

In a statement issued on Monday by the division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said the exercise would be conducted between October 7 and 28.

According to the Army: “In line with the Nigerian Army’s Training Directive for the Year 2017, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, including its affiliated formations and units, located within its entire Area of Responsibility (AOR), which covers the core Niger Delta States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, will be participating in this year’s Exercise Crocodile Smile II, within the entire Niger Delta region,” Iliyasu said.

“The exercise is intended to equip troops with skills in administration, operational, logistics and civil-military cooperation aspects in a military operation, such as the provision of free medical care to host communities, Quick Impact Projects (QIP) and the conduct of sanitation exercises to be undertaken by the troops for the benefit of their host communities and distribution of educational materials to schools.

“These are parts of army’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“It will also avail troops the opportunity to sharpen their combat skills in the conduct of land based and joint riverine operations.

“The exercise will also aim at imparting to the troops the importance of equipment maintenance, reconnaissance, inter-service and inter-agency cooperation, effective application of the Nigerian Army code of conduct, as well as strict adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE), proper handling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and captured or surrendered hostile elements, in line with international best practices.”