I Am Not An Enemy Of The Army – Wike

Ibrahim Bakare

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, Thursday, says he is not an enemy of the army.

Wike made the statement when the General Officer Commanding GOC, of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Jamil Sarham, paid him a visit at government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

While pledging to support the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army as it declared the commencement of Operation Crocodile Smile 4 to effectively combat criminal elements in the state, the Governor asserted that he would continue to work with security agencies for the purpose of securing the state.

Wike reiterated that the military must restrict themselves to their traditional role of maintaining security just as he added that “I cannot be enemy to security agencies.”

Continuing, he stated” “Without security, there can be no governance. The Rivers State Government supported the first three exercises, we will support Exercise Crocodile Smile 4.”

“We should work as partners. We should not work as if there is a problem. I thank you for coming and hope that this will be a new beginning.”

Wike also seized the opportunity of the GOC’s visit to express his reservation that politicians have infiltrated the ranks of the military and compel them to take act outside their traditional roles.

The governor expressed the hope that the military would concentrate on their traditional roles and not allow politicians to use them.

“Let any politician who wants to play politics, come and face me. The Army should remain on their constitutional role, that will help.” he stated.

On his part, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Jamil Sarham, told the governor that he was at the Government House, Port Harcourt to seek the support of the Rivers State Government for the forthcoming exercise Crocodile Smile 4.

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The GOC who said the exercise would be conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta and Rivers states, intimated that Exercise Crocodile Smile 4 is a follow-up exercise to exercise Crocodile Smile 1, 2 and 3.  The pre-exercise flag off will be held on 25th October, 2019.

“The purpose of the exercise is to build on the successes of the past editions by ensuring total security. This will be achieved by identification and clearing of flashpoints of criminal hideouts as well as destruction of illegal oil bunkering camps”, he said.

He added that the exercise Crocodile Smile 4 will also include civil-military cooperation in promoting activities such as medical outreach.

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