The Bayelsa government on Saturday threw its weight behind the ongoing military training operation and its community relatiins components including free medical care by the Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta christened 'Operation Crocodile Smile II' amidst rumours that the military was forcing a lethal vacine on the South.
Gov Seriake Dickson called on the people of the state to discountenance the rumour making the rounds that, the Nigerian Army authorities are carrying out a medical outreach to endanger the health and safety of the people.
Dickson made the call in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo made available in Yenagoa.
According to the statement, the governor made the call while receiving a letter of commendation from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Government House, Yenagoa.
Dickson, who described the rumour as unfounded, urged Nigerians not to panic, but rather cooperate with the military in discharging its medical outreach and community support initiatives, which he said were designed to impact positively on the people.
Reiterating his administration's commitment towards sustaining the prevailing peace, security and stability in the state, Dickson assured the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of greater support in discharge of their constitutional duties.
He explained that, the state government has donated a large expanse of land for the building of a barracks in Yenagoa and a Forward Operations Base at the western senatorial district to enhance security.
"The military and other security agencies are a force for good. And, I want to use this opportunity to call on community leaders to continue to support the military.
"We can't have a Nigerian military that is coming here to inject people with poisonous substances. That is not the army we have. This is our own army. These are our brothers, friends and fellow Nigerians, who mean well for all of us." Dickson was quoted as saying.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented by Major Gen. Rogers Nicholas commended Governor Dickson for the invaluable support his administration.
The support according to Army includes the provision of land for the building of barracks and Forward Operation Base as well as creating a conducive environment for the Army to tackle insecurity in the state.
Delivering a letter of appreciation from the Chief of Army Staff, Nicholas lauded the people of Bayelsa for their understanding and cooperation and pledged that, the Nigerian Army would redouble its efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff in the letter intimated Dickson of the intention of the Army to carry out its medical outreach programme and donation of educational materials to various communities in the state as a part of its “Operation Crocodile Smile II” exercise.
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