‘Enduring Peace, Golden Dawn’ — army launches operations against insecurity

The Nigerian Army has launched new military operations across its divisions in the south-east, south-south, south-west and north-central. 

Farouk Yahaya, chief of army staff, flagged-off the operations on Tuesday at the Nigerian Army 6 division step-up headquarters in Ahoda, Rivers state.

According to Yahaya, the operations were specifically formed to tackle the various security challenges in the geo-political zones.

He said the operations are codenamed ‘Golden Dawn’ in the south-east, ‘Enduring Peace’ in the north-central, and ‘Still Waters’ in south-south and south-west.

“The exercise will involve all security agencies, so that we can effectively defeat the threats across the zones,” Yahaya said.

“Each of the exercises will address security challenges perculiar and unique to the areas of responsibility.

“The exercise here (south-south) will among other things address the issues of oil theft which has become an enigma here.”

Yahaya said the operations would also checkmate other security challenges like banditary, cultism and kidnapping in the four zones.

“The troops will be deplored in areas where they operate. Considering that they have knowledge of the area, they will be better placed to address the security issues,” he said.

“The ones here (south-south) are better placed to know the creeks where oil theft takes place, and deal with them decisively.

“At the end of the exercises, we hope to have set conditions for a more peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of 2023 elections.”

In his remarks, Tunde Akinjobi, chief of army operations, said the exercises would involve both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to effectively check crime and criminality in the areas.

He said exercise ‘Enduring Peace’ would operate from headquarter commands in Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states including the federal capital territory (FCT).

“Exercise Golden Dawn under 82 Division will cover Abia Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states,” Akinjobi said.

“Exercise Still Waters will be conducted within 2, 6 and 81 Divisions covering Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states.

“All participating formations have been involved in series of participatory activities which culminated in the tactical exercises with our troops.”