Rivers Govt Assures Of Peace, Security In Niger Delta

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has assured that his administration will do everything possible to ensure peace and security in the Niger Delta region, just as he declared his support for the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ by the Nigerian Army.
 Wike spoke when he granted audience to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and senior Army officers at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The governor said: "The Rivers State Government is fully in support of the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’. I was fully briefed by the 2nd Brigade commander, and we associate ourselves with the programme because it will make the Niger Delta safer.
"One of the advantages of the programme is that hoodlums in the creeks are being uprooted for a safer Niger Delta.  I support the programme insofar as it is done in line with the Constitution", Wike submitted.
According to the governor, the Rivers State Government will sustain its support for security  agencies  to create the right atmosphere for democratic governance.
He said that the state government has procured six new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the police, and was in the process of concluding the acquisition of 10 gunboats for the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said that the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ will ensure that security challenges in the Niger Delta are addressed and peace enhanced.
"The Operation Crocodile Smile’ is an exercise to train our troops on amphibious operations," Buruatai said.
He explained that the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ was introduced to boost professionalism in  Army operations, and at the same time, improve techniques of operating in the Niger Delta.
The Army chief said that the exercise seeks to provide the civil authorities with the right environment to carry out governance.
He said: "Our waters are generally porous. The Nigerian Army has amphibious capabilities in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy to carry out limited operations within the creeks".
Buratai added that another aspect of the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ will witness the Army intervening in critical areas of need for the communities, adding that, already the  Army has embarked on medical outreach in Bille in Rivers State and  Nembe in Bayelsa State.