Jim,
I wrote a reply a couple of hours ago, but it didn't post. I'll try to recreate it now, at least recall the core.
I had never considered the slavery aspect of croc. elements use for intimidation and fear. I think you have converted me.
Several Nilotic Sudanese groups, apparently the Nuer, revered crocs for strength, etc. and even had clans named for them. I found a good article on " A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa" Simon Pooley, 2016. (Available on Jstor.org, free, just sign up.) One section "Crocodile Societies & Human Societies",p.396/p.6 of 17, includes accounts of how the two species get along. Respectful groups would never kill & eat a croc (and presumably use its skin). Thus the croc grips & scabbards would not derive from respectful groups. I didn't get any connections on croc. reverence/worship.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2639326...o_tab_contents
Best,
Ed