The Nigerian Army has said that it would launch three training exercises across the country to forestall rising cases of criminality during the forthcoming Yuletide season, particularly in South-East, South-South, South-West, and North-Central parts of the country.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, while briefing journalists on Friday, said 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.
He said the exercises were designed to improve individual and collective professional competence and would dovetail into real-time operations to tackle various peculiar security challenges in the affected geo-political 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.
Furthermore, the Exercise ENDURING PEACE III, taking place in the North-Central, was aimed at addressing farmer-herder conflicts, cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorism, among others.
He added that the exercise will equip troops with the necessary skills to combat banditry, including hostage rescue operations, intelligence-driven raids, and effective 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 noted that the Nigerian Army in recognition of the importance of collaboration and synergy among various security agencies in confronting the security challenges have been working closely with sister services and other agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, among others, to ensure well coordinated and effective responses to the threats.
He added that joint training exercises and intelligence sharing will be key components of the Army’s approach.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Army was fully resolute and committed to surmounting emerging security challenges in troubled parts of the country.
“Through the upcoming training Exercise STILL WATERS III, Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III and Exercise ENDURING PEACE III, we project to enhance the capabilities of our troops, improve synergy with sister services and other security agencies and ultimately ensure the safety and security of the populace,” he added.
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