Army launches military exercises across the country

In a bid to combat insecurity across the nation, the military has launched simultaneous routine training exercises in the various geo-political zones of the country.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Y. Butatai, Tuesday launched the exercise during a combined press conference at the army headquarters, Abuja.

He said the exercises which will be conducted in conjunction with other security agencies in order to boost synergy and interagency cooperation among the services and security agencies will start concurrently from the 7th of October to 24th of December, 2019.

Represented by chief of Training and Operations, Army headquarters, Maj.-  Gen Enobong Udoh, Buratai said the operations include exercises Ayem Akpatuma II in North-central and parts of North-west, Egwu Eke IV in South-east and  Crocodile Smile IV in parts of  South-south and South-west.

He said the exercises became necessary owing to the myriads of emergent threats in the zones.

“The exercises are Exercise  Ayem Akpatuma II in 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.

“Exercise Egwu Eke IV which will be carried out in the South eastern part of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states in 82 Division AOR, while Exercise Crocodile Smile IV will as usual take place in the South south and parts of South-west states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states in  2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions’ AOR,” he said.

He added that Operation Positive Identification currently ongoing in the North- east will also be extended across the nation in order to “curtail the movement of bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic militia, cattle rustlers as well as other sundry crimes across the various regions of Nigeria.

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