Nigerian Army has flagged off exercise Crocodile Smile 4 in Delta State with a warning to oil thieves to desist from the criminal act or be ready to face the full weight of the law when arrested.
Flagging off the exercise Monday, with a free medical outreach programme at the disputed boundary between Aladja in Udu local government area and Ogbe-Ijoh community, Warri South West local government area of the state, Commander 63 Brigade, Asaba, Delta State , Brigadier General Usman Bello said during the exercise, effort will be on to redress security challenges in the state, adding that oil theft and related crimes would also be reduced to the barest minimum.
Appealing for support from the civil populace for timely information to assist security operatives achieve greater success in securing the state, Brigadier General Bello said the Operation Crocodile Smile 4 was designed to strengthen civil/ military relations.
Represented by Col. Nyong Orok, the Chief of Staff, 63 Brigade headquarters, Asaba, the Brigade Commander said the Operation Crocodile Smile 4 was part of the military operations evolved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai to ensure that a professional and responsive army was in place.
He said the choice of the disputed boundary between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities for the flag off exercise in Delta State with a medical outreach was to promote peaceful co existence among residents of the two communities, pleading that the people should remain law abiding.
He said the medical outreach was part of series of programmes lined up during the Operation Crocodile Smile 4 to enhance military/civil relations in the state.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who spoke through Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie thanked the Nigerian army for the free medical outreach, urging residents of the communities to embrace peace and promote healthy relations.
He assured that the state government will continue to work with security agencies in the state to sustain peace in all parts of the state.
Residents trooped out from the two communities to benefit from the free medical outreach. They were given drugs for different ailments. A 76 year old Mrs Kakawei Monday, who was given drugs and glasses for her eyes challenge expressed gratitude to the army for the exercise.
