#EndSARS: Military Divided Over FG’s Plot To Deploy Soldiers To Restore Order

The Military announced the decision to launch Operation Crocodile Smile VI in the midst of the ongoing nationwide #EndSARS protest, which move has been viewed with several suspicions, alleging that it is aimed at cowing the protests.

However, it has been reported that the Federal Government may deploy soldiers to check further breakdown of law and order by suspected hoodlums who have infiltrated ongoing #EndSARS protests, according to TheNation report.

It was reported that all the General Officers Commanding the various Divisions have been briefed and waiting for orders to deploy combatant officers and soldiers to quell the protests within their respective areas of Command.

Meanwhile, it was garnered that the planned Operation Crocodile Smile VI is a plot to conceal the deployment under the annual military special operation.

It was reported the protest has taken a different but violent dimension in some states and the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in deaths, looting and destruction of vehicles and other property.

In Abuja, on Saturday night, the protesters barricaded the Gudu area of the FCT with bonfire and dispossessed stranded drivers and other road users of their valuables, including monies, phones and laptops while some of the trapped vehicles were vandalised.

It would be further recalled that the Governor of Osun State was reported to have been attacked in the state capital on Saturday by hoodlums while addressing the protesters, leading to the vandalization of vehicles and death of some people.

Therefore, in reaction to the growing violence across the nation, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement, disclosed that the Operation will be launched on October 20 and will run through December 30, noting that it is “Deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace. This is the first ever Cyber warfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces.

“Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central and North Western parts of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well- meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise”.

However, The Nation reports that the plot to launch the exercise has polarized the Military High Command, in which some contend that it is capable of escalating the tension and the present situation.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a high placed military officer who confided on the condition of anonymity stated that the plot is not the right step to be taken, as it requires a political solution and the military should be kept off anything relating to the #EndSARS protests.

“Although in the Military, we respect chains of Command and the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, I still think the land to deploy soldiers to quell the protest under any guide, is not the right call. I still believe that political solution should be adopted”, he said.