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By Joel Anekwe
Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has pledged to wholeheartedly support the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to effectively carry out Exercise Crocodile Smile 4 to rid the state of criminal elements.
Speaking during a visit by Major General Jamil Sarhem, the general officer commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike reiterated that the military must restrict themselves to their traditional role of maintaining security.
“I cannot be enemy to security agencies. Without security, there can be no governance. The Rivers State Government supported the first three exercises, we will support Exercise Crocodile Smile 4. We should work as partners. We should not work as if there is a problem. I thank you for coming and hope that this will be a new beginning,” he said.
Governor Wike warned the military against allowing politicians to infiltrate their ranks and compel them to engage in acts outside their traditional roles, assuring; “As I said, we will give you the required support. However, concentrate on your traditional roles. Don’t allow any politician use you.
“Let any politician who wants to play politics, come and face me. The army should remain on their constitutional role, that will help,” he added.
He said that the Rivers State Government under his watch played a key role in the establishment of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, pledging that the state government would continue to partner with the Army to fight crime.
Wike said: “Rivers State Government played a great role in the establishment of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army. Of all the states, we played a greater role. There is no way that the Rivers State Government will not partner with the Army to fight crime. Rivers State Government is willing to partner with the Nigerian Army to fight crime. We have always supported Exercise Crocodile Smile. We will support Exercise Crocodile Smile 4.”
He described the visit of the general officer commanding 6 Division as historic and emphasised that the N100 billion allocated to the Nigerian Army in the 2020 budget towards the promotion of security was inadequate.
Earlier, the general officer commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem said he was at the Government House Port Harcourt to seek the support of the Rivers State government for the forthcoming exercise Crocodile Smile 4.
He said: “The purpose of this visit is to intimate you of the Division’s Preparation for exercise Crocodile Smile 4 and invite you as one of the special guests.”
Sarhem invited Governor Wike to the commencement of Exercise Crocodile Smile 4, which is a follow up to Exercise Crocodile Smile 1, 2 and 3. He said the exercise will be conducted in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta states.
“Exercise Crocodile Smile 4 is a follow up exercise to Exercise Crocodile Smile 1, 2 and 3. The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army is covering Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states. The per-exercise flag-off will be held on 25th October, 2019.
“The purpose of the exercise is to build on the successes of the past editions by ensuring total security. This will be achieved by identification and clearing of flashpoints of criminal hideouts as well as destruction of illegal oil bunkering camps,” he said.
Sarhem added that the Exercise Crocodile Smile 4 will also include civil military cooperation in promoting activities such as medical outreach and urged the governor to sensitise Rivers people to support Exercise Crocodile Smile 4.
Since assuming office in August 2018, this is the first time that the general officer commanding 6 Division is visiting Governor Wike.
