Operation Crocodile Smile: Hon. Omosede Igbinedion cries out over alleged invasion, destruction of Edo community by troops

House of Representatives member and daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion has claimed that Nigerian troops invaded and destroyed the Ajakurama community, Edo State.

Taking to to her social media on Wednesday, Hon. Igbinedion described Ajakurama as a "peace loving community"

"This is what Operation Crocodile Smile have done to Ajakurama Community in Ovia South West Local Government of Edo State, which falls under my Constituency.
I learnt that there is now a curfew here and the military presence is still very obvious as they continue to cause mayhem in a peace loving community.
Trust me this matter will be brought upon the floor of the House and there must be a full scale investigation. Whatever happen to Democracy?" she wrote.

However,  Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, Assistant Direct, Army Public Relations, on Wednesday said following the continuation of Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta, troops of the 4 Brigade, destroyed three suspected militants’ camps in Ajakurama.

Capt. Maidawa said the camps were located in Ajakurama in Ovia North East Local Government Area as well as in Obaogolo creek off the Ovia River and Ekenhuan.

According to him, the troops acted on a credible intelligence report about the regrouping of some militants in the community as a result of the onslaught of the operation crocodile smile.

The assistant director said on receiving the information, a cordon and search exercise was carried out in the community during which the militants’ camps were discovered alongside two buildings belonging to a suspected militant leader.
He said both the camps and the buildings were destroyed, including a shrine where the suspected militants were allegedly fortifying themselves.
He also said the troops had destroyed the camp at Obaogolo creek used by militants and suspected kidnappers as a den.

Various items including ammunition, military uniforms as well as charms were recovered from the camp. Seven suspects were arrested at the Ekenhuan camp during an operation carried out in conjunction with other security agencies.
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