CHANNELS TV
Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, have commenced a field training exercise nicknamed Operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in Delta state, on Sunday.
The officers were said to have mounted gunboats, speedboats and so far, reported to have made tremendous progress as they have raided suspected criminal hideouts in the creeks around Ajaosolo, Okogho, Opumani, and Obodo general area.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, flagged-off the exercise on Saturday in Sapele, Delta State.
During the exercise, he said that the Nigerian Army has a mandate to provide adequate security for residents as well as critical national economic assets in the region.
While conducting the exercise, on Sunday August 28 2016, they intercepted a suspected illegal oil bunkerer with 1 “Cotonou Boat” laden with crude oil, 3 X 40 Horse power Yamaha Speedboats and 5 X 200 Litres of illegally refined diesel oil.
Similarly, the troops continued conducting the training exercise near Bomadi town, Bomadi Local Government Area and Pendo and Tuomu of Bururtu Local Government Area of Delta State respectively.
Two suspects, Mr Tokolo Sawyer and Miss Showman Ebi-ere were arrested at ‘Loveth Plaza’, while Mr Kingsley Ebidimo and 7 others with unidentified mission, were equally arrested as they were found to be in possession of substance believed to be Marijuana, 1 Axe, 2 Cutting Saw and a long iron bender also in their hideouts.
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigerian Police at Bomadi alongside the exhibits.
The troops have not relented on their efforts and have been fortified with more supporting weapons, such as a Main Battle Tank, 2 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and 3 Scorpion Tanks from the Headquarters of the Nigerian Armour Corps.
In addition, as part of the training exercise, the troops have been carrying out patrols along waterways in the creeks.
In that process, they recovered 2 “Cotonou Boats” and a 75 Horse Power Speedboat, 30 X 200 Litres plastic drums containing liquid suspected to be illegally refined crude oil in the creeks at Ovwahwa in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in the afternoon of Sunday 28th August 2016.
Three suspected persons, Messrs College Owahwa, Joseph Katte and Olisa Patrick, found around the vicinity have been arrested and are currently being questioned.
Following intelligence reports, 2 illegal crude oil refineries were identified and destroyed by the exercising troops traversing Ayakoromo and Esaba water ways in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Later on that day, 2 Pumping Machines and sets of new pipes used for the construction of illegal refineries and siphoning were found in the bush. Two suspects were interrogated to ascertain their involvement on the recovered items.
The Military in its fight to rid Nigeria of insurgents, has expressed hopes that security would be restored in the south-south region at the end of the exercise.
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