‘Golden Dawn’, ‘Enduring Peace’ — army launches new exercises in the south

The Nigerian Army has launched new exercises across its divisions in the south-east, south-west, and the south-south.

The exercises are codenamed ‘Golden Dawn’, ‘Enduring Peace’, and ‘Still Water’.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, in a statement on Sunday, said Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, will perform the flag-off in Enugu state.

He said the exercises, which are routine, are to stem the tide of criminality as the yuletide approaches.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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. 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 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.”

Nwachukwu asked members of the public not to panic at sighting the movement of troops and equipment.