Crocodile Smile Has Nothing To Do With #EndSars Protests – Nigerian Military Claims
The military has cleared the air on claims that the scheduled Crocodile Smile operation of the Nigerian Army is targeted at EndSars protesters in the country.
Over the weekend, the Nigerian Army had announced that an ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile VI’ was to begin soon in the country in order to enhance the safety and security of the country.
However, many had misconceptions about the exercise as it came at the heat of the #endsars protests across the country, many thought the exercise was aimed at protesters.
Clearing the air, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa reveals the exercise has been suspended and it was never aimed at civilians.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some social media stuff wrongfully condemning the Army and its leadership over the announcement of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI, particularly the cyber warfare component of the exercise.
“This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020 and has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.
“Thus, to now insinuate that it is an exercise meant to stifle the ongoing ENDSARS protest is, to say the least highly misinformed.
“Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI has nothing to do with the ongoing protest and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protest in any form whatsoever. So far, the army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago.
“The Army hereby enjoins all law-abiding Nigerians to go about their lawful activities unhindered as the Exercise has nothing to do with ENDSARS protest, but a yearly event set out to train NA officers and soldiers in its efforts to ensuring safety and security of Nigeria and her citizens.”
