Insecurity: Army Chief flags-off Field Training Exercises nation-wide

Insecurity: Army Chief flags-off Field Training Exercises nation-wide

*General public urged not to panic at sight of movement of troops and equipment

In view of the degenerating security challenges across the country and the fast approaching Yuletide season, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya will on Monday 4 October, 2021 flag-off exercises Golden Dawn, Enduring Peace and Still Water, nation-wide.

The Field Training Exercises (FTEs), are routines conducted yearly by the Nigerian Army (NA), to specially and effectively check all forms of criminality and allow for free movement of persons during the Yuletide.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Nigeria Security Digest, said “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya will on Monday 4 October, 2021, perform the flag-off of Exercises GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE and STILL WATER Nation-wide.

“The COAS will symbolically flag-off all Exercises at the venue of Exercise GOLDEN DAWN which will take place at Ovie-Emene, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“For all intents and purposes, it should be noted that these Field Training Exercises (FTEs) are routines conducted yearly by the Nigerian Army (NA), designed to effectively check all forms of criminality and allow for free movement of persons during the Yuletide. Additionally, the FTEs will equally provide a platform to sharpen the skills of participating troops on the conduct of Internal Security Operations.

“The exercises will run concurrently in 2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions Areas of Responsibilities (AOR) in the South West, South South and South East regions, respectively.”

The statement said it will also be conducted in Headquarters Command Army Records, 401 Special Forces Brigade and Guards Brigade Areas of Responsibilities (AOR) in the North Central States of Kogi, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory, respectively.

“Expectedly, troops will be taken through operational rigors to effectively respond to security challenges, ranging from kidnapping, banditry, thuggery, brigandage, armed robbery, cultism, communal crisis, violent secessionist agitations, farmers-herders clashes and insurgency, amongst other sundry crimes.”

This, the statement said, will be complimented by robust Civil-Military Relations activities in identified communities in the envisaged AORs.

“This intervention calls for critical stakeholders to support the NA and other security agencies to stem the tide of crimes and criminality across the areas, particularly as the Yuletide approaches.

“Consequently, members of the general public are please enjoined not to panic at sighting the movement of troops and equipment.

“They are also urged to please continue to support the NA and other security agencies with credible information on the activities of criminals in their vicinity. Nigerians are please encouraged to take ownership of the exercises for a seamless celebration during the yuletide,” it added.