Operation “Crocodile Smile”, the recently launched military onslaught in the Niger Delta region has brought relative peace to the region but it has left no fewer than 23 militants and four soldiers dead with 91 illegal refineries as well as bunkering sites destroyed.

The General  Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu on Saturday. He however assured that the formation in Enugu would continue to halt all security threats and economic sabotage within its jurisdiction.

He noted that the mandate of the formation is clear which is to arrest all attacks on critical infrastructure that have led to economic loss for the nation. He said that the Army Division would continue to maintain operational tempo to consolidate on the gains it achieved during the exercise, adding that “any attempt at brazen attacks on national critical infrastructure, oil and gas resources and overall strangulation of the socio-economy of law abiding citizenry by any group of militants or criminals” would be resisted and thwarted.

He said: “The exercise Crocodile Smile ended not just as a training exercise but also as a way of demonstrating the capacity and efficacy of the Nigerian Army to secure lives and property in the Niger Delta and Southeast Nigeria.

“Unfortunately 4 among own troops got drowned in the general area of Brass in Bayelsa State due to a boat mishap while another one was killed in action elsewhere around Obiozunmini near Obite in Onelga, Rivers State in fire fight with the criminals/militants”, he stated.

“Most importantly the Division is ever committed to the strategic direction of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence State and the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added.

The inauguration of operation Crocodile Smile prompted the militants to also launch a counterfoil operation Crocodile Tears. It has helped to bring relative stability in oil operations in the region leading to improved income earnings for Nigeria.