Operation Crocodile Smile training not targeted at militants - Military

The Defence Headquarters has debunked claims that its training exercise in the Niger Delta region, which it code named

According to the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the training was aimed at giving amphibious training to its men in the oil rich region.

Urging the people of Niger Delta not to see the training exercise as an attempt to attack them, Abubakar also said his men will defend themselves if attacked.

The Defence spokesman also said “We should not misconstrue our exercise in the Niger Delta. We are not doing the exercise against the militants.

“We are training our personnel on water. You know we have amphibious elements in the area. We are just doing our exercise, when they were blowing pipes, was there any attack?

“However, if there is any threat against the troops and equipment, we must act in self defence. The exercise is going on well, we are not targeting anybody. No military is attacking them because of the negotiation. We should give peace a chance.”

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) has blown up a Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) crude-oil facility in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.