The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the Nigerian Army of his administration’s continued support as it engaged in intensive security duties in the state.
He made this known on Tuesday 18th November 2019 during the flag-off of "Exercise Crocodile Smile IV" by the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army held at Takwa Bay, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his thoughtfulness and strategic foresight in conducting Exercise Crocodile Smile IV ahead of the Yuletide period.
He added that the idea was geared towards ensuring peace and security within the South-West and South-South region during the festive period.
In his words “From antecedents, the security issues prevalent within the Yuletide are not lost on any of us as criminal elements move to amass wealth through underhanded means during the period,” he said.
He added that Exercise Crocodile Smile IV was a welcome development that promised to ensure that criminal elements had no safe haven within the period.
Dr Hamzat further stated on behave of his boss “I commend the Army for their resilience and determination towards providing security in Lagos and other states across the country including the Federal Capital Territory.”
The Governor alluded to the need for citizens to be security conscious.
They should notice what is going on in their environment and adopt the popular saying of ‘see something and say something’.
“If you see something wrong make sure you act".
“The police and other Security Personnel are not magicians, they do not look at oracle, they listen to information", “It is for all of us to conduct ourselves and just be our neighbours’ keeper,” he said.
In his remark earlier before, General Buratai, represented by Major-General John Irefin, GOC 81 Division, Nigerian Army, disclosed that Exercise Crocodile Smile IV was part of the Army’s continuous commitment to combating security challenges in the country.
He added that the exercise would reduce to the barest minimum the prevailing security threat in the riverine environment such as illegal oil bunkering, militancy, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, cultism and other common sundry crimes.
Also, the exercise, aimed at sharpening the professional skills of Security Personnel, would be intelligence-driven and portray real-time operation.
This will be in line with the Military’s constitutional role of conducting internal security operation to aid civil authority,” the COAS reiterated.