Crocodile Smile: Army set to take over Calabar by Wednesday.

The Nigerian Army has urged residents in Calabar, Cross River State not to panic over the large movement of troops within the metropolis, ahead of the visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Tukur Buratai on Wednesday.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the 13 brigade of the Nigerian army in Calabar said the COAS will be flagging off the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ exercise in the state and as such would attract a large movement of troops.

The statement which was signed by the brigade’s Public Relations Officer (APRO), Captain Kolawole Owolabi urged residents to go about their daily activities without panic.

“Following the deteriorating security situations in the Niger Delta by activities of militants in the area, Exercise Crocodile Smile has been scaled up to neutralize these threats.

“To this end, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. TY Burutai, in company of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 division, Major Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, will arrive Calabar to flag off Exercise Crocodile Smile on Wednesday 7, September, 2016.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised not to panic when they see large movement of troops within Calabar”, the statement read in part.