The Nigerian Army has announced that it will flag off its annual military exercise code-named ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ on Tuesday, October 20.

The exercise usually involves massive movement of troops and weapons in an obvious show of military strength. This year’s edition will apparently clash with street protests being staged all around the country by Nigerian youths who have been demonstrating against police brutality particularly by the special unit called  Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

Many Nigerians are apprehensive that the military exercise at this time could have unpleasant results if the youths who have been protesting for over a week, without letting up, decide to maintain the tempo of their agitation. Some Nigerians even say that the exercise is being rolled out to check the protests.

However, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, appeared to have anticipated such skepticisms when he claimed in a statement released to the public that ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ is usually conducted in the last quarter of the year. He disclosed that the exercise for this year is scheduled to hold from October 20 to December 31.

A special feature of this year’s exercise, according to Sagir, is the introduction of a cyber warfare component. He claims that it is meant to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyber space. Says Sagir:

“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 components 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 operation especially in the North East, 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.”