Crocodile Smile VI not targeted at #EndSARS protesters – Military

The Military has dismissed insinuations the Army Special Operation, Exercise Crocodile Smile VI set for launch on October 20 is meant to stifle the #EndSARS protest.

There were reports the government was planning to hide under the pretext of the annual military exercise (Crocodile Smile VI) to deploy soldiers to quell the ongoing protest.

But the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement, insisted the Nigerian Army has “nothing to do with the ongoing protest and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protest in any form whatsoever”.

He noted the Army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago.

According to him, “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 has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.

“For the records, Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is a yearly exercise in the NA Calendar/Forecast of Events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year.

“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”.