The Nigerian Army Saturday, highlighted the reasons for the second phase of its Operation Crocodile Smile in Bayelsa, saying it was to increase the rhythm and mileage of its operation in the Niger Delta.

The Commander of the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Kevin Aligbe who led personnel of brigade on environmental sanitation exercise in Yenagoa, as parts of the series of activities lined up for the period of the Crocodile Smile II in the state said there was no need for the populace to panic.

Excerpts:

“Operation Crocodile Smile II is intended to increase the rhythm of our combat operations in the creeks and land-based activities. At the end of the day the operational skills of all those participating will be sharpened and of course, we would have gained more mileage.

“It is going to increase the rhythm of our operations and as well as the mileage we are going to attain in terms of our operational gains.”

Other highlights:

• He said apart from the routine activities in the creeks, rivulets and all land patrols, confidence building and all of that, the military decided to undertake some communities’ relation activities to bridge the gaps between the army and the immediate communities where they reside.
• “We must give back to the environment as much as we demand from the environment.”
• The Brigade Commander who donated some items on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the Obstetrics and Gynaecologic ward of the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Yenagoa said the gesture was part of the medical outreach within the context of their community relationship in their area of operation.
• “During our outreaches, we do not do vaccinations, we do not do immunisation, we do basic medical checks and then offer medical materials to individuals that need them and it is not by force.”

Omoleye Omoruyi

Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram