The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike pledged his support for the Nigerian Army exercise in the Niger Delta- Operation Crocodile Smile.
Governor Wike said his administration will continue to support all security agencies in Rivers state to maintain peace and order.
He said this while speaking with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at the Rivers state Government House.
Wike said “The Rivers State Government is fully in support of the Operation Crocodile Smile. I was fully briefed by the Brigade Commander and we associate ourselves with the programme because it will make the Niger Delta safer.
“One of the advantages of the programme is that hoodlums in the creeks are being uprooted for a safer Niger Delta. I support the programme insofar as it is done with the constitution.”
In his response, Buratai explained to Wike that Operation Crocodile Smile is aimed at training men of the Nigerian Army on the intricacies of securing the Niger Delta.
The COAS also said the military operation will also help to meet the basic needs of some communities in the Niger Delta.
Buratai said “The Operation Crocodile Smile is an exercise to train our troops on amphibious operations.
“Our waters are generally porous. The Nigerian Army has amphibious capabilities in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy to carry out limited operations within the creeks.”
The Ijay Youth Congress Worldwide spokesman, Eric Omare has asked the Federal Government to call the military men stationed in the creeks to order, adding that those involved in Operation Crocodile Smile are intimidating innocent civilians in the Niger Delta.
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