Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army involved in the field training exercise nicknamed ‘Crocodile Smile’ mounted on gunboats and speedboats have been making tremendous progress as they also raided suspected criminal hideouts in the creeks around Ajaosolo, Okogho, Opumani, and Obodo general area, the Nigerian Army has said.

The Army also said in a statement issuedon Mondayby Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, that while conducting the exercise, on Sunday 28thAugust, 2016, they intercepted suspected illegal oil bunkerers with one ‘Cotonou Boat’ laden with crude oil, three 40-Horse Power Yamaha speedboats and five drums of 200 litres each of illegally refined diesel oil.

“Similarly, the troops continued conducting the training exercise near Bomadi town, Bomadi Local Government Area and Pendo and Tuomu in Bururtu Local Government Area of Delta State respectively. Two suspects; Mr. Tokolo Sawyer and Miss Showman Ebi-ere were arrested at ‘Loveth Plaze’, while Mr. Kingsley Ebidimo and seven others with unidentified mission were equally arrested at Pendo as they were found to be in possession of substances believed to be marijuana, one axe, two cutting saw and a long iron bender in their hideouts. The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Bomadi.

“The troops have continued with their field training exercise, more so as they received two more supporting weapons, Main Battle Tank, two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and three Scorpion Tanks from the Headquarters of Nigerian Armour Corps.

“In addition, as part of the training exercise, the troops have been carrying out patrols along waterways in the creeks, in that process, they recovered two ‘Cotonou Boats’ and a 75-Horse Power Speedboat, 30 plastic drums of 200 litres each containing liquid suspected to be illegally refined crude oil in the creeks at Ovwahwa in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in the afternoon of Sunday 28th August 2016.

“Three suspected persons, Messrs College Owahwa, Joseph Katte and Olisa Patrick found around the vicinity have been arrested. They are currently being questioned.

“Following intelligence reports, two illegal crude oil refineries were identified and destroyed by the exercising troops traversing Ayakoromo and Esaba water ways in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

“At about5.00pmsame day, two pumping machines and sets of new pipes used for the construction of illegal refineries and siphoning were found in the bush. Two suspects were interrogated to ascertain their involvement on the recovered items.The troops have continued their training exercise without hitch.

“In addition to the training exercise, troops are equally carrying out free medical outreaches at central area Sapele and near Olu of Warri’s Palace in Warri.”

•Photo shows‘Crocodile Smile’ troops.