The 133 Special Forces Battalion of Nigerian Army troops have carried out a precursor operation to Exercise CROCODILE SMILE aimed at getting rid of all forms of criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.

In the course of the operation, five militants that attacked the troops were killed in action, while many others were injured. Twenty-three suspects were arrested.

A statement by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the operation conducted yesterday was carried out by the Special Forces at the militants camps.

Items recovered from the camps include: 2 AK-47 rifles, 11 Pump Action Guns, a locally made revolver pistol, 292 cartridges of live Ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle Ammunition, 4 electricity generating sets and a Camp Gas Cooker.

The troops also recovered an abandoned Engine Boat left by the fleeing criminals.