VAM News Update

THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Tuesday flagged off three training exercises across the country to protect lives and property.

Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the exercises are ‘EXERCISE STILL WATERS 3’, ‘GOLDEN DAWN 3’ and ‘ENDURING PEACE 3’.

Mr Nwachukwu said the exercises, designed to curb the security challenges in the South-South, South-East, South-West and North-Central, would run concurrently in the respective geopolitical zones till the end of the year.

During the kickoff of the exercises in Lagos, Mr. Lagbaja emphasized their purpose, which is to address various emerging security issues specific to the affected geopolitical zones, aiming to lessen the challenges typically experienced in the last quarter of the year.

He highlighted the increase in travel among Nigerians during the yuletide season, underscoring the need for a secure and conducive environment that allows citizens to engage in their lawful activities without fear.

Mr. Lagbaja urged the troops to perform their duties diligently, adhering to the law and established codes of conduct. He stressed the importance of ensuring that army personnel do not become a source of concern for the citizens they are tasked with protecting.

The army chief also inaugurated ‘EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP’ at the Ikeja Cantonment Lagos to clear Unexploded Explosive Ordnances at the site of the unfortunate 2002 bomb blast, which occurred at the cantonment.

The army chief said the objective of the exercise was to completely disinfect the epicentre of the Ikeja bomb blast and clear it of all verified and suspected remaining Unexploded Explosive Ordnances lying around the cantonment.

Mr Lagbaja added that all relevant emergency and response agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Emergency Management Agency and the Medics, would work in synergy to ensure the successful completion of the exercise.