As Exercise Crocodile Smile 2 formerly came to an end on Monday 30th October 2017 in Niger Delta, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said that the Nigerian Army being a true Army that belongs to the people, will never do anything to harm Nigerian people.
Buratai spoke against earlier unfounded allegations of personnel of the army injecting harmful diseases into children and other persons which turned out to be a hoax.
He described as unfortunate the rumour that circulated in the course of the exercise that the army had injected children with monkey pox saying “The the Nigerian Army will continue to defend and protect the people and abhor anything that will harm them”.
Buratai said the exercise achieved its objectives, including training to sharpen troops’ skills on operations in amphibious environment and addressing crimes such as pipeline vandalism, piracy, oil theft and bunkering.
Speaking at the Step Up headquarters of Exercise Crocodile Smile at Igwuruta, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, General Buratai used the occasion to order the redeployment of troops who participated in the special military exercise in the Niger Delta to Lake Chad region for combat duties against Boko Haram.
Read Also:
- Anambra Police Nabs 2 Suspects, Recover Large Quantity of Gunpowder Concealed in Bag of Garri & One Locally-Made Pistol, Live Ammunition
- MNJTF Force Commander visits Front Line Troops in Mallam Fatori, Commends Them for Bravery, Resilience
- CDS Attends Graduation & Badging Ceremony of DHQ Special Operations Forces; Task Them on Neutrality in Tackling Security Challenges
While noting that the Nigerian Army is passionate and committed to flushing out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents within the nation’s territory, the Army Chief said, “I want to assure that most of the troops that excelled in the operations across the (Niger Delta) region would be redeployed.
“The Troops would be redeployed especially within the Lake Chad waters to flush out remnant of Boko Haram terrorists that are within the Lake Chad islands and other areas.
“Boko Haram remnants which are virtually within the border areas of our neighboring countries would have to be properly identified and flushed out in a joint effort.
“This is a task that we must ensure is accomplished”.
Buratai expressed optimism that the redeployment of troops would complement efforts of security outfits including the Multinational Joint Task Force to flush out insurgents from the area.
He attributed present successes recorded in the North East and military exercises in other parts of the country to the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, said the exercise was held in the Niger Delta and some states in the South West to access army commanders and train troops.
Dan-Ali said that President Muhammadu Buhari was desirous to building formidable, well equipped and trained armed forces that citizens would be proud of.
“The exercise was inaugurated as part of the Nigerian Army plans to effectively dominate all hostile areas, coordinate and consolidate on the gains of Exercise Crocodile Smile I,” he said.
Dan-Ali commended the army for its commitment to training, professionalism and efficiency to tackle contemporary security challenges facing the nation.
END
