The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Crocodile Smile

  • Army begins ‘Crocodile Smile III’ exercise in Niger Delta

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced Operation Crocodile Smile III exercise across the states of the Niger Delta to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism in the region.

    This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army.

    According to him, the exercise which started on Monday October 22 would last till November 22, 2018.

    “In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for Year 2018 which tasked Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom State.

    “In view of this, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo will from Monday 22 October to 22 November 2018 conduct Exercise Crocodile Smile III.

    “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.

    He warned members of the public that there would be movement of troops and equipment and advised them not to panic.

    He urged members of the public especially residents of Ikot Abasi and Mbo Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom to keep away from the exercise area.

  • Crocodile Smile 2: Army arrest 399 suspects in Lagos, Ogun

    Crocodile Smile 2: Army arrest 399 suspects in Lagos, Ogun

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said no fewer than 399 suspects were arrested for various offences during the Exercise Crocodile Smile 2 in Lagos and Ogun States.

    The 35 Artillery Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Bassey Adonkie, disclosed this while giving an appraisal of the exercise during the closing ceremony of the Crocodile Smile 2 at 192 Battalion, Ajilete, Ogun State.

    He said the Crocodile Smile 2 was aimed at flushing out pipeline vandals, kidnapers and miscreants.

    “The exercise led to the arrest of suspects including armed robbers, kidnappers and recovery of ammunition.

    “So far, a total of 399 suspects were arrested for different offences across as the South-West region and handed over to various security agencies concerned.

    “In addition, 20 assorted arms were recovered, while illicit drugs were also recovered and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he said.

    The commander, who said over 1,000 officers participated in the exercise, added that criminal activities had reduced following the crackdown which denied the hoodlums freedom of action.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, said that the exercise leveraged on the gains of the Crocodile Smile 1.

    “Experience drawn from the exercise conducted in 2016 revealed that criminals and miscreants do fled from areas of ongoing operations to seek safe haven and cause security menace in areas hitherto regarded as peaceful.

    “It was in line with this development, that I deemed it necessary to extend the areas of coverage for this year’s exercise crocodile smile, to cover the South-West and South-South regions of the country,” he said.

    He said that the closing ceremony should not be regarded as the end of the exercise and urged the men to sustain the tempo of the operation.

    “The army places premium on training and thus Exercise Crocodile Smile is one of the training activities embarked on to sharpen the skills of personnel in the conduct of operation,” he said.

    He said that the exercise was a joint operation conducted with other sister agencies, adding that it improved comradeship, inter-agency cooperation and synergy.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, in his opening remark, said that the exercise was flagged off by the chief of army staff on Oct.7.

    “The exercise was designed to develop and enhance professionalism among units, foster relationship and synergy among participating services, security agencies.

    “It was also designed to improve the overall planning and conduct of internal security operations in combating prevalent security challenges.

    “It is gladdening to note that the exercise was able to mitigate prevalent security challenges such as reduction in pipeline vanderlism, militancy, ritual killings, smuggling, kidnapping and drug related offences amongst others,” he said.

    The GOC said troops were exposed to the rudiments of administration in the field, operational staff work and battle map marking during the operation.

    “It is pertinent to note that all these activities were done in collaboration with other sister services with each playing its statutory roles in internal security duties,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a medical outreach was rendered to the Ajilete community by the army to commemorate the closing ceremony of the Crocodile Smile 2.

    NAN reports that free eye test, health talks and other medical services were rendered to over 100 residents in the area.

    Present at the closing ceremony were senior military, para-military officers.

  • Crocodile Smile 2: Army arrest over 40 suspects in Lagos, Ogun

    Crocodile Smile 2: Army arrest over 40 suspects in Lagos, Ogun

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had arrested over 40 suspects for various offences within Lagos and Ogun states after the launch of ‘Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 ‘ by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    The army made this known through a statement by the  81 Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu in Lagos.

    According to him, so far, the troops have being carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other sisters services, security and para military agencies.

    “Some suspected criminals have been arrested; drug peddlers, cultists, car snatchers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids, road blocks and checkpoints.

    “On Oct. 4, based on credible  information on activities of pipeline vandals at Ronik Hotel Agbule Egba area of Lagos state, troops of 149 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army were immediately dispatched for a Cordon and search Operation.

    “The troops arrested the suspected pipeline vandals and items found within the hotel premises include 16 loaded kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS), 5 cars and 2 tankers loaded with PMS,” he said.

    He said the suspects have been interrogated, profiled and handed over to NSCDC.

    “In a related development, on Oct. 11,  troops of 174 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army while on a stop and search operation arrested a car robber who snatched a Toyota Venza with reg no. FST 762 CV along Ikorodu – Sagamu road.

    “The suspect who was fleeing with the stolen vehicle rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians in a bid to escape and was arrested by troops.

    “The suspect and the recovered vehicle have been handed over to Owutu Divisional police Headquarters,” he said.

    He also said that five drug peddlers were apprehended with gallons of unidentified chemical substances and Indian hemp on Oct. 14 by  troops of Sector 5, 243 Battalion at Agbara area of Lagos State in conjunction with men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    “Arrested suspects and items have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.

    “Similarly, raid and clearance operations were carried out on Oct. 14, by troops of 65 Battalion Sector 1 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 at Ajah general area.

    “Nine suspects were arrested with bags containing Indian hemp.

    “Two of the suspects were alleged to have snatched a female purse containing Samsung Galaxy and Itel phones, Bible, house keys and N1,200   which were also recovered,” he said.

    The spokesman also said another raid operation was carried out by troops of 9 Brigade Garrison Sector 4 at Ipodo, Ikeja general area where five suspects were arrested.

    “Five suspected fraudsters were arrested and items recovered include 4 generators, 4 laptops, scanning machine, colour printer, 3 stabilizers, 10 ups, 3 car chargers and 16 handsets stand.

    “The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to Lagos State Special Task force, Oshodi.

    “On Oct. 15, the Commander Sector 3 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 handed over 36 suspects arrested by troops of the Sector during a raid operation at criminal hideouts and notorious drug dens in Ikorodu general area.

    “The handover was carried out at Odogunyan barracks in Ikorodu, while the suspects were received by the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Ijede in Ikorodu,” he said.

    Daudu also disclosed that four suspected cult members were arrested around Badagry area on Oct. 15.

    “At about 11.59 pm, gunmen suspected to be cultists attacked Rolex Hotel in Ajara area of Badagry.

    “Following a distress call to troops of 243 Battalion Sector 5 on Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 on activities of suspected cultists, troops responded immediately and arrested 4 suspected cultists.

    “Also a follow up of suspected cultists attack, two suspects were arrested in connection with previous attacks at Rolex Hotel.

    “The arrested suspects were detained and preliminary investigation is in progress while suspects would be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

    The spokesperson reassured the public  that the Division is poised to maintain peace and security in the entire Lagos and Ogun States.

    Daudu enjoined members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and giving credible information to the nearest security check point.

    According to him, members of the public can also call 193 and the various telephone numbers that were earlier released. (NAN)

  • Operation Python Dance, Crocodile Smile in Nigerians’ interest —Buratai

    Operation Python Dance, Crocodile Smile in Nigerians’ interest —Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the Operation Python Dance 2 embarked upon by the Nigerian Army in the South East as well as the Operation Crocodile Smile 2 in the South South and South West zones were meant to tackle existing/emerging security challenges around the country.

    He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties while it would continue to obey the rule of law and remain guided by the rules of engagement.

    Buratai stated these yesterday in a paper he presented at the executive session of the second day of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, said: “The Nigerian Army belongs to the Nigerian people and it is poised to remain the pride of the nation and the last man in its defence.

    “In order to maintain the pride, I have laid structures for effective leadership and personnel management, because the Nigerian Army must strive to remain an institution of authority that creates responsibilities, provide direction, inspiration, vision and communicate same to personnel at all times.

    “By going in this direction, the Nigerian Army is poised to confront evolving internal and external threats, in order to guarantee the sovereignty of our dear country.

    “In so doing, we are avowed to remain firmly apolitical in order to always find ourselves in a good stead to defend our constitution by providing the needed security environment as a guarantee for the survival of our democracy.”

    Buratai also stated that his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time Boko Haram insurgents had instilled fear in the psyche of Nigerians and most of the troops’ locations were lost to the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He noted that quite unfortunately, many officers and men of the Nigerian army lost their lives to insurgency, leading to a general dampening of troops’ morale and fighting spirit across the entire theatre.

    The army chief stressed that upon his appointment, he was naturally confronted with the urgent need to take workable measures aimed at reversing the ugly trend and begin a positive drive towards winning a decisive victory against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He said: “On December 22, 2016, our gallant troops decimated the insurgents and took over Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest from them, in what was definitely a landmark development in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northeast, as Camp Zairo, which was hitherto the command headquarters of the Boko Haram leadership, was captured by our gallant troops.

    “The location is now a training area designated Lt. Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range. The troops are almost through with ongoing efforts at completely flushing out remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts in other parts of the forest.

    “The challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and kidnappings in some Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of Operation MESA in all the states in the country.

    “The challenges of increased militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping in the Southern part of the country have been accorded appropriate attention.”

    Buratai also stated that under his watch, the performances of troops in assigned operational tasks were being complemented by sustainable welfare programmes.

    He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support for the Nigerian Army while reassuring him of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

    The session was chaired by a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. It also had in attendance a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile; and the President of NGE, Funke Egbemode, among other eminent personalities.

    Papers were also presented by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, among others.