Regardless of the many criticisms by the Yoruba socio-cultural
group, the Afenifere, to the deployment of troops in addressing civil matters,
the Nigerian Army’s Operations Crocodile Smile II, has landed in Lagos and Ogun
states areas covered by troops of 81 Division.
Spokesman of
the division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, who made this known in a
statement on Monday, explained that the exercise commenced in Ogun and Lagos on
October 7, 2017 and will end on October 28, 2017.
Lieutenant
Colonel Daudu said that the exercise will avail troops the opportunity to
sharpen combat skills in the conduct of land base as well as joint riverine
operation, adding that it could progress to an operation when they start going
after criminal elements involved in kidnappings, cultism, armed robbery,
pipeline vandalism, and insurgency, among others in the states.
According to
Daudu, the exercise is not targeted at any individual or group. Hence, law
abiding citizens should not be afraid when they witness increased movements of
troops and equipment.
He said,
“Law-abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal businesses without
fear. Dates and locations of the various humanitarian activities, such as
sanitation exercises and free medical interventions will be announced in due
course.
“The division also wishes to allay the fears of the public, as
they will witness increased movements of troops and equipment during the
period.
“They are
please requested to cooperate and support us, to ensure the success of the
exercise, which is aimed at making the Nigerian army responsive to its
constitutional roles.”
This came
despite warnings by Afenifere that President Muhammadu Buhari should not repeat
the mistake that led to 1966 court when the government at the period was busy
deploying troops to address civil uprisings.
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