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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the military’s Operation Crocodile Smile III in Cross River State will tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy and other criminal activities.
Buratai stated this on Tuesday during the commencement of the military operation in the Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.
The army chief, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, said the exercise was a training for the soldiers of 13 Brigade.
According to him, the exercise was designed to include riverine and land operations.
He said the main aim was to monitor the creeks by tackling kidnapping, militancy and armed robbery.
He said, “This exercise has been designed to enable officers and soldiers of 13 Brigade to show their proficiency in internal security.
“The land operation will be conducted to check armed robbery, communal clashes, among others.
“The riverine operation will equally help us to check the activities of militants and kidnapping of personalities across the creeks. In addition to the exercise, we will also carry out medical outreach in host communities and schools.
“As we do this, it will also help us to maintain peace and order and create a conducive environment as we approach the 2019 general elections.”
He urged the soldiers to deal with criminals based on the rules of engagement.
The Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brig. Gen. Charles Okulide, disclosed that 800 security personnel drawn from the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence and Immigration would be participating in the one-month exercise.
Okulide said that the initiative was to foster inter-agency relationship among security agencies in the state, expressing confidence that the exercise would be hitch-free.
He said the Brigade has made remarkable efforts in curbing heinous crime in the state through the sustained collaboration of other security agencies.
Also speaking, Governor Ben Ayade said that the Nigerian Army had remained disciplined and very professional in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
Ayade said the exercise would ensure a crisis-free 2019 polls and the annual Calabar carnival.
He said the exercise would also reduce the proliferation of arms through the Cameroon border at Ikang in Bakassi Local Government.
The governor called on all security agencies to work in harmony with a view to bringing the security challenges across the country under control.
[Punch]
