The ongoing `Operation Crocodile Smile two’ in Cross River will help to checkmate illegal activities along the Calabar maritime domain.

The operation, according to Nigerian Army, is meant to provide support to other security agencies in the state to ensure peace and security across the state.

Its General Officer Commanding one Division, Kaduna, Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade gave the assurance on Thursday in Calabar during a working visit to the state to access the level of the exercise.

Oyebade who was conducted round the operational annex of the exercise and within the Ikang Jetty in Bakassi by Commander of thirteen Brigade, Calabar, Brigadier-General Ismaila Isa, said because of the extensive maritime environment in this part of the country, they were working closely with the Navy in ensuring that the maritime environment was free from all sorts of criminality.

According to him, as long as the state government and the people of the state were happy with what they were doing, they would continue to do so, saying he was there on the directives of the Chief of Army Staff to come and see what was going on and to give appropriate advice on the way forward.

He said from the briefing he had received, he think the operation was going on smoothly and the Nigeria Army, being the strongest of the service on ground; would continue to play their role in ensuring that the society was safe.

The General Officer Commanding called on residents of the state to support the operation by availing the Army and other security agencies with timely and useful information that would help to curb crime.