The joint military operation tagged: ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ has reduced incidents of kidnapping, militancy and armed robbery in Cross River.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, stated this at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Nigerian Army Post Housing Scheme at Adiabo community in the state.

The project that is located in Odukpani Local Government Area of the state, is a collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the state Ministry of New Cities Development.

Buratai said the Nigerian Army was committed to reducing all forms of illegality through its determination to smoke out criminals from their hideouts.

He said the housing estate when completed, would cushion the housing deficit for retired army personnel.

In his remarks, Governor Ayade lauded Buratai for his prompt response at the peak of security challenges in the state, saying the Operation Crocodile Smile came at a time when there city needed heavy military presence in the state.

The governor urged the COAS to complement the green nature of the state by planting trees that would beautify the housing estate.