To build the competencies and confidence of troops, the Nigerian army in collaboration with Sister Services and other security agencies will be conducting training exercises across the country from October to December 2023.
The exercises is in line with the Nigerian Army Training Directive for the year 2023, they are codenamed 'GOLDEN DAWN III' in the South east, 'ENDURING PEACE III' in the North Central and 'STILL WATERS III' in the South-south and South-west.
Director Army Public Relations, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this today, 6 October, 2023 while briefing Defence Correspondents on the Nigerian army training exercises across the country at the army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to Brig. General Nwachukwu, 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.
Brig. General Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army recognizes the importance of collaboration and synergy among various security agencies in boldly confronting these security challenges, hence, the upcoming training Exercise STILL WATERS III, Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III and Exercise ENDURING PEACE III project is to enhance the capabilities of troops, improve synergy with sister services and other security agencies and ultimately ensure the safety and security of the populace.
He noted that Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III, taking place in the South east 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.
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.