Following the flag off of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE II in 81 Division Area of Responsibility by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, simultaneous activities started in Lagos and Ogun states.

So far, the troops have being carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other Sister Services, Security and Para military agencies.

Some suspected criminals have been arrested; drug peddlers, cultists, car snatchers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids, road blocks and checkpoints.

On Wednesday 4 October 2017, based on credible information on activities of pipeline vandals at Ronik Hotel Agbule Egba area of Lagos state, troops of 149 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army were immediately dispatched for a Cordon and search Operation.

The troops arrested the suspected pipeline vandals and items found within the hotel premises include 16 loaded kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS), 5 cars and 2 tankers loaded with PMS. The suspects have been interrogated, profiled and handed over to NSCDC.

In a related development, on Wednesday 11 October 2017, troops of 174 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army while on a stop and search operation arrested a car robber who snatched a Toyota Venza with reg no. FST 762 CV along Ikorodu — Sagamu road.

The suspect who was fleeing with the stolen vehicle rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians in a bid to escape and was arrested by own troops.

The suspect and the recovered vehicle have been handed over to Owutu Divisional police Headquarters.

Also at about 14 October 2017, following a tip off troops of Sector 5, 243 Battalion at Agbara area of Lagos State in conjunction with men of NDLEA carried out a raid operation at Oto-Awori and apprehended 5 drug peddlers with gallons of unidentified chemical substances and Indian hemp.

Arrested suspects and items have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.

Similarly, raid and clearance operations were carried out on 14 October 2017, by troops of 65 Battalion Sector 1 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE II at Ajah general area.

Nine (9) suspects were arrested with bags containing Indian hemp. Two (2) of the suspects were alleged to have snatched a female purse containing Samsung Galaxy and Itel phones, Bible, house keys and #1,200 naira only which were also recovered.

Another raid operation was also carried out by troops of 9 Brigade Garrison Sector 4 at Ipodo, Ikeja general area. Five (5) suspected fraudsters were arrested and items recovered include 4 generators, 4 laptops, scanning machine, colour printer, 3 stabilizers, 10 ups, 3 car chargers and 16 handsets stand. The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to Lagos State Special Task force, Oshodi.

On Sunday 15 October 2017, the Commander Sector 3 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE II, Lt Col BC Eze handed over 36 suspects arrested by troops of the Sector during a raid operation at criminal hideouts and notorious drug dens in Ikorodu general area. The handover was carried out at Odogunyan barracks in Ikorodu. The suspects were received by the Area Commander Nigeria Police Ijede — Ikorodu.

On Sunday 15 October 2017, at about 11.59 PM, gunmen suspected to be cultists attacked Rolex Hotel in Ajara area of Badagry.

Following a distress call to troops of 243 Battalion Sector 5 on Exercise CROCODILE SMILE II on activities of suspected cultists, troops responded immediately and arrested 4 suspected cultists.

Also a follow up of suspected cultists attack, two suspects were arrested in connection with previous attacks at Rolex Hotel.

The arrested suspects were detained and preliminary investigation is in progress while suspects would be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the public that it is poised to maintain peace and security in the entire Lagos and Ogun State.

Members of the public are please requested to cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and giving credible information to the nearest security check point or call 193 and the various telephone numbers that were earlier made public.