Military not targeting militants – Defence Headquarters

The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said that the military was not targeting the militants in the ongoing operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta.

The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said that the public should not misconstrue the ongoing operation for an offensive against the region.

He said that the ongoing operation was designed to give amphibious training to elements of the Army in the area.

However, he said that the troops would fight in self defense if attacked.

He explained that the military was not attacking the militants because of the ongoing negotiation and to give peacea chance.

He said, “We should not misconstrue our exercise in the Niger Delta. We are not doing the exercise against the militants.

“We are training our personnel on water. You know we have amphibious elements in the area. We are just doing our exercise, when they were blowing pipes, was there any attack?

“However, if there is any threat against the troops and equipment, we must act in self defence. The exercise is going on well, we are not targeting anybody. No military is attacking them because of the negotiation. We should give peace a chance.”