The Nigerian Army says it is resolute and committed to surmounting emerging security challenges in troubled parts of the country through the upcoming training exercise that will be carried out nationwide.
It added that the troops in collaboration with Sister Services and other security agencies will be conducting training exercises across the country from October to December 2023.
Director Army Public Relations Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, while addressing a press conference on Sunday in Abuja said these exercises are designed to improve individual and collective professional competence.
He added that exercises would also dovetail into real time operations to tackle various peculiar security challenges in the geo-political zones.
Nwachukwu noted that the exercises are 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.
His words: “Exercise Golden Dawn III, taking place in the South east is 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.”
Nwachukwu stressed that the exercise would focus on enhancing the capabilities of the troops in intelligence gathering and effective, proactive response to criminalities.
He explained that with the exercise, the objective is to improve the security in the South-east and ensure safety of the populace during the period that will culminate in the yuletide.
Nwachukwu added: “Exercise Enduring Peace III, taking place in the North-central is primarily to address farmer-header conflicts, cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorism among others.”
He pointed out that the exercise would equip the 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.
“Exercise Still Waters III, taking place in the South-South and South-West will target the menace of cultism, robbery and kidnapping,” Nwachukwu said.
He stressed that the exercise would seek to address the challenges of pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
Nwachukwu stated: “Finally, let me reiterate that the Nigerian Army is 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 said the exercise will also focus on securing critical infrastructures, adding that the troops would be trained on advanced surveillance techniques, rapid response tactics and the use of technology to effectively counter pipeline vandalism.