By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has launched a simultaneous routine training exercise to combat insecurity in the various Geo-political zones of Nigeria.
The exercises are Exercise Ayem Akpatuma II, Egwu Eke IV and Crocodile Smile IV as well as Positive Identification which is already ongoing.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja ,the COAS repsented by the Chief of Training and Operations (COTAO) Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Enubong Udoh said the operation Ayem Akpatuma II is to cover the North Central and parts of North Western States of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba as well as Kaduna and Niger States in 1 and 3 Divisions Area of Responsibilities (AOR) including Headquarters Command Army Records, Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade.
Operation Egwu Eke IV ,COAS said will cover the South Eastern part of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States in 82 Division AOR.
Buratai further said, exercise Crocodile Smile IV will be carried out in the South South and parts of South Western States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States in 2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions’ AOR.
Both operations Ayem Akpatuma II, Egwu Eke IV and Crocodile Smile IV were relaunched to consolidate on the previous Theatre operations already launched by the NA.
According to Buratai, Operation Positive Identification which was already in operation will be extended to other parts of the country to checkmate bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic militia, cattle rustlers as well as other sundry crimes across the various regions of Nigeria.
Buratai said the exercises will begin concurrently from the 1st November to 23rd December, 2019 and will be conducted by the Army in collaboration with the other security agencies.
Buratai also disclosed that, the NA will be actively involved in a range of Civil-Military cooperation as such, different activities are bid to carry out in some selected communities. Some of the them include educational support programme, free medical care, reconstruction of dilapidated facilities such as roads, hospitals and schools.
“In order to consolidate on the existing cordial Civil-Military Relations, an elaborate Civil Military Cooperation Line of activities in the areas of community outreaches such as free medical outreach, educational outreach, rehabilitation of identified dilapidated roads, hospitals, schools and old peoples homes in various selected communities in Nigeria”. Buratai stated.
He said,in addition to the other activities, the Nigerian Army Women Corps, will visit and donate items to motherless baby homes and other identified disadvantaged groups in selected areas across the country in order to build more confidence and cement the civil military relationship between the army and the people.
Buratai therefore call on all Nigerians not to panic and go about their normal business. He also reassure the commitment and determination of NA to securing and protecting the lives of the citizenry.
