The Nigerian Military under the ”Operation Crocodile Smile”, on Friday, September 9, took the Niger Delta militants by surprise, as it invaded their various creeks, crushing and destroying all illegal refineries, and kidnappers’ camps in Bayelsa, Rivers and Imo States.
According to the Director, Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, the troops of 2 Brigade (Operation Crocodile Smile), had in the last 48 hours, discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refineries.
The well-coordinated attack in Rivers, Imo and Bayelsa States, led to the massive defeat of the militants in their various creeks, as they abandoned it, scampering for their lives in various directions.
Usman speaking further, added that troops of Sub-Sector Bravo had also on Wednesday, in response to a tip-off on the presence of suspected kidnappers at Akupoku community, carried out a raid of at the location. Although no arrest was made, he noted.
”The troops recovered and destroyed three large cooking pots and 20 tanks, filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO”.
In Bile community, Usman said, another set of troops also discovered and destroyed 12 large refining cooking pots, with various other equipments seized.
Amidst the huge success, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Friday, disclosed plans to further increase the troops with another specially trained 10,000 squad, by 2017.
He said, “The army has deployed about 3,000 officers and men, as well as equipment for the exercise.“The number of personnel will be increased to 10,000 by next year,” Buratai noted.According him, the exercise is aimed at training officers in marine combat operations, “because the State is largely riverine, and borders the Atlantic ocean, and therefore, prone to external aggression.”
Buratai however, assured the communities in the region that the ongoing military exercise will not distort the peaceful coexistence of its citizens, as all members of the troops understand the rules of engagement, and would strictly adhere to them.
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