By AGATHA NWOKOCHA, Abuja
In its resolve to get rid of insecurity and criminality in the South East part of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army has disclosed readiness for a fresh offensive code named Exercise Golden Dawn III.
Speaking to journalists during a flag off public sensitisation on Nigerian Army Training Exercises across Nigeria, the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the initiative is to restore peace all over the SouthEast and Nigeria during the yuletide celebration.
Nwachukwu who spoke on Friday at the Army Headquarters Abuja took time to give details of the exercises.
The Army spokesman said the exercises would start from from October to December 2023.
The Director said besides the Exercise Golden Dawn III, the army is launching Exercise ‘ENDURING PEACE III’ in the North Central and ‘STILL WATERS III’ in the South-south and South-west.
Nwachukwu also informed while fielding questions non-kinetic elements such as medical outreach and related succour as well as public sensitisation would form part of the exercises across the country.
He said the Exercise Golden Dawn III would address terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and killings in the Southeast.
He noted that the exercises are in line with the Nigerian Army Training Directive for the year 2023, troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with Sister Services and other security agencies.
“These exercises are designed to improve individual and collective professional competence and would dovetail into real time operations to tackle various peculiar security challenges in the geo-political zones. The exercises”, Nwachukwu said.
The Director expatriated on the Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III, saying “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.
“The exercise will focus on enhancing the capabilities of our troops in intelligence gathering and effective, 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”.
Giving further lowdown on other exercises, he said ” 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.
“The exercise will equip our 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. It will equally seek to address the challenges of pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
“The exercise will also focus on securing critical infrastructures.
“Our 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”.
According to the Director, “The Nigerian Army recognizes the importance of collaboration and synergy among various security agencies in boldly confronting these security challenges. “Accordingly, the NA 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 these threats.
“Joint training exercises and intelligence sharing will be key components of our approach”.
The Director reiterated 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.
On possibility of impostors, fake soldiers who might take advantage of the exercises or troop members in uniform who could use their position to intimidate civilians and eventually abuse the exercises, Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army has a mechanism to checkmate abuse of the project.
