Insecurity: Army lunches operation crocodile smile II in C/River

The Nigerian Army has lunched the second phase of its operation code name ‘Crocodile Smile II’ in Cross River.

Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu lunched the operation on Wednesday in Calabar.

He said the operation was meant to complement the ongoing ‘Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

He said the operation was in line with the Army’s efforts to curb militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of illegality in the state and beyond.

The Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, conducted the GOC round the creeks of Ikang in Bakassi LGA to the Amphibious Training School fleet yard in Calabar by speed boat.

Abubakar said: “from Ikang in Bakassi local government to the Calabar channel, I can say that the soldiers have been doing well in protecting the coastal areas along with the navy.

“I am happy that the Director of the State Security Service also went with us throughout the sea patrol.

“It shows that we are united in providing security to the people of the state and beyond.

“I am very certain that this exercise will help in securing our nation just as we recorded tremendous success in exercise Egwu Eke.

“Crocodile smile cut across four divisions; they include 81, 2, 6 and 82 divisions respectively.

“We hope to record successful outcome at the end of the operation on the 28 of Oct.

“What we are doing here right now is exactly what is going on in Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa Rivers and Cross River states respectively.’’

The GOC said the operation would also help in enhancing civil-military relationship, teach the troops general administration, operational logistics, equipment maintenance, arms handling and others.

He called on the public to support the operation by availing the Army and other security agencies with useful and timely information that would enable them respond on time to cases of emergencies.