Youth leader urges support for ongoing military operation in Niger Delta

A Niger Delta Youth Activist Mr Preye  Ketebu-Brown has drummed support for the ongoing military operation in the Niger Delta region code named ‘Operation Crocodile Smiles’.

Ketebu-Brown, Vice President, World Assembly of Youth (WAY) made the call in an interview with newsmen, Tuesday in Yenagoa.

The youth leader noted that the ongoing operational training exercise will enhance the skills of the military and reduce operational mishaps due to lack of experience in maritime areas leading to loss of lives.

“The Army’s “Operation Crocodile Smile” in the Niger-Delta Region is a welcome development, provided Nigerian Army will confine it’s duties to it’s constitutional role.

“I therefore urge Youths of the Niger-Delta to see the operation as a source of hope and renewed confidence towards a more secure, stable and investment-friendly Niger-Delta environment; which is the same goal of all agitations

“Youths and indeed the people the Niger-Delta should display our traditional hospitality to the Men of gallantry.    

“However “Operation Crocodile Smile” as a well planned and organized program with set objectives to “Mop-up” the Region should have a definite time-table.

“It is important to share details of this laudable program including its time-table as obtainable in other such military operations in civilian areas. No civil settleent hosts military hardware and soldiers side-by-side civilian residents in peace time,” he said.

The youth leader urged the military to sensitize the  public on the time-line of this operation so as to allay fears and douse the tension and anxiety the operation has brought upon the people.

Ketebu-Brown noted that the exercise will also help the people of the Niger-Delta to prepare for President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign promise of massive clean-up and infrastructural development which expectedly should follow “operation crocodile smile”.

“It shall also serve the Niger-Delta Region and indeed the Nation best if this noble operation is backed-up with military establishments that promote development such as Navy Shipyards, Air Force airfields and military hardware manufacturing industries.

“These facilities will not only guarantee long term operational effectiveness but will also provide jobs and employment opportunities for youths of the Niger-Delta and indeed boost security for rapid clean-up and development of the Region,” Ketebu-Brown said.

The youth activist also appeal for the release of Niger-Delta Youths arrested in Gbaramatu, Warri and environs in the spirit of reconciliation and in view of efforts towards peace in the ongoing dialogue.

He noted that arrest and detention of suspects for  extended periods without trial tend to dent the human rights records of Nigeria and urged the authourities to charge the suspects to court or release them without further delay.

“The recent United Nations ‘Common Country Analysis’ (CCA) on Nigeria referred to such “heavy handed tactics of security forces” as resulting to “the most egregious and dehumanizing human rights abuses” in the Country.

“Such avoidable impression will surely be counter-productive to the administration’s effort and huge investment of time and resources towards attracting Foreign Direct Investments.

“It is indeed a welcome development that the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has opted for dialogue. I however advise the Federal Government that any planned dialogue should include a cross-section of stakeholders.

“Discussions should be pivoted on sustainable development of the Region and not sub-sectional or parochial interests,” Ketebu-Brown said.

He urged all stakeholders of the region to in good faith, accept the olive branch of the present administration and give its best of intensions for the region a chance to succeed.