Against the backdrop of militancy in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army has, on different occasions, launched military exercises aimed at restoring normalcy to the area. The latest in this drive is the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile.’ This operation comes with several dissents on the exact purpose of the mission; while the military and government claim the operation is to provide adequate security for residents and for the national asset situated there, the leading militant group – Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) – are alleging an act of genocide by the Nigerian government in the region.
Operation Crocodile Smile?
Operation Crocodile Smile is the code name given by the Nigerian Army to its current “field training exercise” in the Niger Delta area. The choice of the word ‘crocodile’ may have been informed by the peculiarity of the oil region, where the operation will be taking place. Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles which are well armoured with tough and scaly skin. They inhabit brackish and saltwater habitats including coastal mangrove wetlands, ponds, coves, creeks and canals; all these are the typical settings of the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. However, the presence of the word ‘Smile’ seems very ironic, perhaps intended to douse the tension that the operation is likely to bring with it.
Prior to the launch of the exercise, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Kukasheka Usman, said “the aim of the exercise is to practice our Special Forces and other units of the Nigerian Army in Amphibious and Internal Security Operations in riverine environments. And also to check criminal activities like kidnapping, militancy, piracy and other forms of criminal activities in support of the civil authority.”
Last Saturday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Buratai eventually flagged-off the exercise in Sapele, Delta State.
A probable untold mission of ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’
While Buratai was addressing the troops during the flag-off of the operation, the Army Chief reportedly said: “We are in Warri to flag-off this exercise in order to get our troops prepared for any eventuality. We need to keep our country safe. We need to get our economy going without any interruption.” What ‘eventuality’ was the COAS referring to?
About a fortnight ago, the Niger Delta Avengers reiterated their resolve to declare a Niger Delta Republic on the 1st of October if the Nigerian government fails to restructure the country. With this threat to the country’s sovereignty, the need for the Nigerian Army to be on a red alert is well expected.
Two days after the beginning of the operation, the army described it as a military training “embarked upon by the Nigerian Army to train its Special Forces, formations and units located in the South-South geo-political zone of the country.” However, the rare presence of armed soldiers on the streets certainly says more than just military training.
The progress so far
Four days into the exercise, the military seems to be making significant strides. In a statement released on Monday, the Army spokesperson said the troops are “making tremendous progress.” According to the statement, the Army raided some suspected criminal hideouts in the creeks around Ajaosolo, Okogho, Opumani, and Obodo general area. In the process, they intercepted suspected illegal oil bunkerers and several items were recovered, including speedboats, illegally refined diesel oil, and other suspicious items. After an interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the Police.
The exercise was further boosted as the troops received two more supporting weapons, Main Battle Tank, 2 Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and 3 Scorpion Tanks from the Headquarters of Nigerian Armour Corps.
Before now…
Prior to the latest military exercise, there have been several military operations in the Niger Delta region. In June this year, the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin announced that ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ has been replaced with ‘Operation Delta Safe.’ Olonisakin said the change was necessary for better efficiency in line with his vision to contain the current security challenges in the Niger Delta, especially the protection of critical national assets.
On July 28, exactly a month before the latest exercise was inaugurated, the Nigerian military launched a series of tactical drills in Enugu, which was tagged ‘Operation Crocodile Tears’. That came on the heels of the COAS’ threat to result to the use of force in neighbouring Niger Delta if dialogue with the militants failed.
The humane side of Operation Crocodile Smile
In what many may regard as a surprise, the Army has aided humanitarian efforts in the area. Members of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps were deployed to attend to the medical needs of residents of the affected communities. Although it may be too early to conclude that the exercise has been executed properly, this gesture proves that Operation Crocodile Smile is not only about guns and boats.
The Niger Delta Avengers chide President Buhari, allege a pre-determined genocide with Operation Crocodile Smile
In an open letter, the NDA called on President Buhari to stop presenting Nigeria as his personal property. The militants announced that they have ceased hostilities and that they expect a genuine and positive attitude towards their calls for the restructuring of the country.
The NDA group further assumed that “the people of the Niger Delta have been living here [the Niger Delta region] from time immemorial, so we have the secret of the terrain and survival of amphibious operations. No amount of troop surge and simulation exercises will make you win the oil war, you can only win battles.”
In that same letter, the militants accused Buhari of not listening to Nigerians, adding that the military is “about to carry out extrajudicial killings in the Niger Delta, in violation of article four of the Geneva Convention with Operation Crocodile Smile.”
What to expect
As it stands now, the latest operation seems to be perfectly clamping down on those carrying out illegal oil activities in the region. However, the date -October 1st- given by the NDA for the declaration of its republic is a day to await anxiously. The reality of ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ may finally be known then, if the militants decide to carry out their threat. Concerns remain for the already frightened women and children in the Niger Delta, who may be caught up in the military’s efforts to contain any ugly eventuality.
