About 23 militants and criminals have been
confirmed dead by Nigerian soldiers during a recent Operation Crocodile smile
military exercise in Niger Delta. Reports credited to the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) have it that 55 assorted weapons were also seized from suspected
criminals during the operation by the Nigerian troops deployed to restore
sanity to the region reports naij.com. Speaking on this recent development,
Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82
Division, Enugu, added that many of the criminals left with series of injuries
during the attack, adding that 38 camps belonging to the militants and 91
illegal refineries were destroyed as well within ten days.
During a chat with newsmen in Abuja, he said:
“The precursor operations were followed by `Exercise Crocodile Smile’ proper,
which was orchestrated and conducted with sequencing and lines of operation to
upgrade the skills, expertise and competence of the troops in land and riverside
environments. “Over 3,000 soldiers were deployed along two axis on land, creeks
and the general littoral area of the Niger Delta region, while
forward-operating bases were established from where operations were conducted
along the creeks and littoral area.” While regretting the death of four
soldiers during operation, the GOC noted that they seized the opportunity to
cement relations with civilians through humanitarian services in neighbouring
communities. “Books, stationeries and generators were donated to some schools
while others were given facelift and infrastructure improvement,” he added.
This news is coming following reports by the Nigerian troops that they have
nabbed Victory Benjamin, a high ranking militant kingpin in Cross Rivers state.
According to the military spokesperson, Sani Kukasheka Usman, this feat was
achieved in Cross Rivers state as the militant was attempting to collect ransom
from a relation of a kidnap victim. In a statement issued on Saturday,
September 17, the Colonel wrote: “Troops of 13 Brigade, 82 Division, Nigerian
Army, have in a coordinated operation arrested a suspected high ranking
militant kingpin Mr. Victory Benjamin (aka Abuja Daddy and G3) and 3 others.”
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