The Nigerian Army on Sunday announced the extension of exercises Crocodile Smile IV, Ayem Akpatuma II and Atilogwu Udo I which was to end on December 23, 2019 till Jan 7, 2020.
The Army noted that the successes recorded through the exercises across the nation had been tremendous, hence the extension.
This was contained in a statement by Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations.
The statement read: ”Owing to the tremendous successes recorded in the ongoing Operations/Exercises across the country especially in the aspect of Exercise POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION, the Nigerian Army (NA) has extended the deadline for the conduct of Exercises AYEM AKPATUMA II, ATILOGWU UDO I and CROCODILE SMILE IV from the 23rd of December 2019 to 7th of January, 2020.
”Recall that in her spirited efforts to combat insecurity across the nation, the NA, through a Press Release made on the 25th of September 2019, alerted members of the public of the commencement of the said routine exercises in the different regions of Nigeria. All the exercises were scheduled to be conducted concurrently from the 7th of October 2019 to 23rd of December 2019.
”The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, wishes to reassure the good citizens of our country of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens. He deeply appreciates the tremendous support and understanding of all Nigerians during the conduct of Exercises AYEM AKPATUMA II, ATILOGWU UDO I and CROCODILE SMILE IV across the Country so far and solicits same support as the Exercises run through the said extension period.”