Nigerian Army set to launch three exercises to boost security
The Nigerian Army has announced three training exercises around the country to combat increased criminality over the upcoming Yuletide season, notably in the country’s South-East, South-South, South-West, and North-Central regions.
Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, told journalists on Friday that the exercises, codenamed ‘GOLDEN DAWN III’ in the South-East, ‘ENDURING PEACE III’ in the North-Central, and ‘STILL WATERS III’ in the South-South and South-West, will be formally launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, at a later date.
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He stated that the exercises were intended to increase individual and collective professional competence, and that they would be integrated into real-time operations to address numerous unique security concerns in the affected geopolitical zones.
He explained that Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III, taking place in the South-East, was aimed at tackling security challenges such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, communal clashes and sundry crimes “which become more pronounced in the build-up to the Yuletide, when many citizens return home to celebrate.”
General Nwachukwu said the exercise will focus on enhancing the capabilities of troops in intelligence gathering and effective and proactive response to criminalities.
“With the exercise, we aim to improve the security in the South-East and ensure safety of the populace during the period that will culminate in the yuletide,” he added.
In addition, the North-Central Exercise ENDURING PEACE III attempted to address farmer-herder conflicts, cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflicts, and terrorism, among other issues.
He also stated that the exercise will provide troops with the capabilities needed to combat banditry, such as hostage rescue operations, intelligence-driven raids, and good coordination with other sister services and security agencies.
In the same vein, the Army spokesperson said Exercise STILL WATERS III, taking place in the South-South and South-West, will target the menace of cultism, robbery and kidnapping.
It will also strive to address the challenges of pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
“The exercise will also focus on securing critical infrastructure,” he added.
During the exercises, he said troops would be trained on advanced surveillance techniques, rapid response tactics, and the use of technology to effectively counter pipeline vandalism.
“By conducting this exercise, we aim to curb economic sabotage, protect national assets and ensure a stable environment for economic growth,” Gen. Nwachukwu stated.
He pointed out that, in recognition of the importance of collaboration and synergy among various security agencies in confronting security challenges, the Nigerian Army has been working closely with sister services and other agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others, to ensure well coordinated and effective responses to threats.
He went on to say that joint training exercises and intelligence sharing will be critical components of the Army’s strategy.
Nigerian Army set to launch three exercises to boost security