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Army Flags Off Operation Crocodile Smile II …Not Solution To Agitations, Stakeholders Say

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army will today flag off its military operations code-named “Operation Crocodile Smile II” in the Niger Delta states.
The operation is coming barely three weeks after the authorities of the Military High Command launched the controversial “Operation Python Dance II” in the South-East.
In a statement, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the Division, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu said that this year’s exercise will formally begin this Saturday after its flag off and would last for 22 days.
But a cross section of Rivers residents has criticised the military operation, saying that it was not the solution to the agitations in the Niger Delta region.
The deputy director, Army public relations, however, explained that the military operation was designed to avail troops the opportunity to sharpen their combat skills in the conduct of land-based and joint riverine operations.
Aminu added, “The exercise is also planned to enable troops become relevant to Areas of Responsibility (AOR).”
According to him, “The exercise will also impart to the troops the importance of equipment maintenance, reconnaissance, inter-service and inter-agency cooperation, effective application of the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct as well as strict adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE), proper handling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), captured and surrendered hostile elements in line with international best practices”.
During the exercise, Aminu said “The soldiers will provide free medical care to host communities, Quick Impact Projects (QIP) and conduct of sanitation exercises for the benefit of the host communities as well as distribution of materials to schools as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSRP).”
He, therefore, solicited the understanding and cooperation of the general public in ensuring the success of the operations but allayed the fears that the operations will lead to unnecessary harassment and intimidation of the people.
Reacting to the development, an Ogoni-born Evangelist, Benjamin Harry Kpoasu said that the Federal Government, rather than float the Operation Crocodile Smile II, should develop Niger Delta to pacify the people from agitations.
The evangelist believed that no amount of military operations will proffer any better solutions to the problems affecting the Niger Delta region.
“We should think of how we can unite ourselves and develop the region, rather than intimidate the people with military operations. Our leaders should draw a master plan for youth development. If the youth are gainfully engaged, and there are basic amenities available, the agitations for any form of development will be drastically reduced”, Kposau said.
According to him, “When the leaders fail to put the necessary things in place for proper development of the nation and her people, there is bound to be agitations,” adding that “The only solution to the problem is how to develop the people in order to reduce tension, rather than militarize the people with Operation Crocodile Smile.”
Also reacting, Chidi Ikpeoha said the Federal Government should withdraw the soldiers from the midst of the people and send them back to their camp as their presence is intimidating and increasing fear in the people.
“People are agitating for their rights and they should not be treated as animals. In the face of mounting agitations it beholds on government to address the issues agitating the minds of the people and their fears. This, to my mind is the solution to the problem and not military operations”, Ikpeoha said.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Ozioma Eric Nworie
News
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
News
RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
News
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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