Press "Enter" to skip to content

As the Operation Crocodile Smile ends in Niger-Delta region, here is a summary of its achievment

As the Nigerian Army’s Operation Crocodile Smile ends in the Niger Delta region, the Armed Forces have had a number of achievement since the operation’s launch on the October 8th, with the aim of combating criminal operations and vandalism in the region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the exercise, General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.Gen. Enobong Udoh, said the operation is to ensure peace and security as well as promote tolerance.

“Our operation aims to reassure the public that we are ready to fight crimes like cultism, militancy, and kidnapping so that people can go about their business without fear.”

Catching Suspected Criminals

On October 9, with the help of some patriotic Nigerians, the Army successfully nabbed Mr Udeme Dick Nnah, a notorious cultist, terrorizing a Community in Rivers States and three days later, Saviour Friday Marcus and Nsika Okon Odoh were also arrested for cult related activities.

Troops on patrol also arrested two suspects for cutting armoured cables belonging to Itu Paper Mill in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and a suspected arms supplier.

Items recovered from the suspects includes three rolls of vandalized cables and two motorcycles while locally made guns, live cartridges, gunpowder, damaged single barrel guns and gun making accessories were obtained at the residence of the suspected arms supplier.

One Mr Bishop Akpan, believed to be the financier of the suspected criminals, was also arrested and he volunteered to give information of kidnappers and cultists related to him.

Bursting Illegal Refinery

An illegal oil refinery was also discovered and destroyed by the I46 and 130 Battalion.

The refinery was said to contain large cooking pots and containers filled with refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and some unregistered trucks which were also containing large quantities of Kerosine and AGO in Gokana, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Ahoada-West and Akuku-Toru LGAs of Rivers State were also destroyed.

The troops were able to intercept a yellow MAN Truck with Reg.no XA 508 DKU GOMBE loaded with 30 litres of illegally refined AGO in a constructed tank concealed with poultry feed.

Combating Militancy & Humanitarian Gestures

Suspected militants’ camps were also destroyed in Ovia North East Local Government of Edo State.

The peak of the achievement was the renovation of the Oloibiri Well 1 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State which has received praises from the State Government.

The Deputy Governor, Retired Admiral John Jonah, commended the Army for their humanitarian support.

“We commend the Army for the wisdom to renovate the oil well in Otuabagi town because it will greatly promote tourism.

“The rumour that the military was administering fake vaccines in the past weeks had been put to rest.

“The fact is that a training exercise is ongoing to bring out the best in the Army and further make our areas safer.”

At the closing ceremony of the event in Yenogoa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said they would continue to keep tabs the region and that sea pirates, militants, kidnappers and crude oil thieves should take off.

The COAS, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Udoh, urged the Commander, 16 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe to maintain constant patrol and security surveillance to checkmate the activities of criminals along waterways.

“The Nigerian Army in consonance with the vision of the Chief of Army staff to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles continue to conduct operations and training  exercises of course in order to position itself to be able to respond to threats that we have in the country.

“So Nigerian Army would continue to conduct these operations to combat these threats so that we can have a conducive environment for business activities to take place and for law abiding citizens to go about their lawful duties without hindrance.

“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the Commander of the 16 Brigade and commend him for this initiative in rehabilitating this place. I also want to use this opportunity to urge him to continue to dominate this area in terms of patrol and security so that the bad boys and criminals can be kept away from here,” Udoh added.

Facebook Comments
ETN24 - Explaining the News is about putting News in the correct context to promote understanding and education. We believe News should educate, not agitate. Our dedication is to fighting Fake and Sensational News, as well as to keep an eye on the media to ensure our peace and sanity are not sold for traffic.