Nigerian Army Council has approved the establishment of a new brigade headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the new army formation would be known as the 61 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

Buratai said a commander had been appointed for the brigade while operations at the new formation would take off as soon as possible.

He said the establishment of the new brigade was in furtherance of government’s strategic plan of reinforcing security in the state and by extension, the Niger Delta region.

According to Buratai, the Niger Delta is very important to the security and economy of the nation due to its closeness to the Gulf of Guinea and its status as an oil rich territory.

On the ongoing `Exercise Crocodile Smile’, Buratai said troops had been directed to conduct themselves in the most professional manner.

He assured residents of the region that the Army was out to protect their interest as well as committed to their defence against external aggressors at all times.

He said the Army had planned to expand the scope of its civil-military relations to include educational assistance in various communities, especially by supporting teaching in primary and secondary schools.

Buratai said plans were underway to get engineers involved in road maintenance works in the various communities where the army would hold similar exercises.

The army chief disclosed that more than 3,000 personnel with the relevant equipment and logistics were involved in the `Exercise Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta.

Buratai said more troops and logistics would be mobilised in the 2017 amphibious field training exercise.

In his remarks, the governor condemned the killing of innocent people, especially service personnel in this state.

He commended the efforts and sacrifices of our armed forces for keeping this nation secured and strong while calling on citizens to cooperate with them in the interest of development.

Dickson called for more dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta in order to solve the current security challenges and as a road map for the development of the region.

He said the government and people of Bayelsa were fully in support of the military and would want improved military presence in the state to guarantee safety of lives and property.

According to Dickson, there is nothing anyone can do to bring development without first fixing security.

Buratai visited sector headquarters and other units in Bayelsa as part of his tour of exercise areas of the `Exercise Crocodile Smile’.