Authorities of the Nigerian Army on Friday shed more light on the take-off of ‘Operation Crocodile Smile 2’ in Bayelsa State noting that it is aimed at increasing the rhythm and mileage of its security operations in the Niger Delta.
Making the disclosure, Brigade Commander of the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Kevin Aligbe who also doubles as Deputy Force Commander, ‘Operation Delta Safe’, therefore stated that there was no need for panic.
Aligbe said, “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 gain 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.
“The environmental exercise that we are conducting today is one of the series of activities line up during the Operation Crocodile II.”
On the scope of activities of the operation, the Bridage Commander 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.
Urging Nigerians to take ownership of the army and see the army as the pride of the nation, Aligbe said, “That is exactly what we have come here to demonstrate within the context of Operation Crocodile Smile II.
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“We must give back to the environment as much as we demand from the environment.”
He donated some items on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the Obstetrics and Gynecologic ward of the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Yenagoa even as he said the gesture was part of the medical outreach within the context of the their community relationship in their area of operation.
Regarding the apprehension over Monkey Pox disease, the Brigade Commander dismissed the rumour of vaccinations and immunization.
He said, “During our outreaches, we do not do vaccinations, we do not do immunization, we do basic medical checks and then offer medical materials to individuals that need them and it is not by force.
“You will be surprise that in this time and age when you have social media that not even a shadow of the called people dressed in military uniform were caught on camera, especially with everybody having a cell phone that has camera in it.
“Not even one school, not anywhere the same message, the same rumour that was heard in other states, but unfortunately was replicated here in Yenegoa, yesterday and caused a lot of apprehension but as leaders we must stay on the part of truth in making sure that the services that is expected of us is delivered to the people.
“That is the professional responsibility that we have to the community where we reside and also our business.”
Aligbe earlier led personnel of Brigade on environmental sanitation exercise in Yenagoa, as part of the series of activities lined up for the period of the Crocodile Smile II in the state.
END.
