The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai on Wednesday in Calabar, commissioned the Amphibious Training School (ATS), gun boat hanger, as part of activities to herald the army’s ongoing training in the Niger Delta region, ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’, in Cross River State.
Flanked by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 division, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, Amphibious Training School Commandant, Brig. Gen TOB Ademola, Buratai also used the occasion to reaffirm the army’s readiness to tackle any threat to the country’s territorial integrity.
The Army chief, who unveiled the boats hanger among other instructional facilities shortly after flagging off the army’s ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile in Cross River State, extolled the virtues of the troops for their brilliant performances while the exercise lasted.
He expressed delight over the new facilities, saying it will go a long way to enhance the operational efficiency of the command as well as boost the morale of Nigerian army troops, in view of the ongoing exercise in the Niger Delta region.
“I am pleased with this development. It will help to enhance your operational efficiency, especially as we begin the ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile, in Cross River.
“You have done very well; you just have to keep it up. We must keep our country safe at all times, even after the exercise.
“We must continue to maintain our presence in all the creeks and troubled hot spots. I commend the GOC, 82 division, the brigade commander and indeed, the commandant of the ATS and all of you, for putting up a good performance, during the exercise”, Buratai said.
He expressed his commitment towards the training and retraining of the Nigerian army troops, especially for those operating in the riverine terrain.
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