Army urges South-East residents not to panic over troops movement

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

The army has urged South-East residents not to panic over the movement of troops and the sound of gun shots as it conducts its annual range classification exercise for 2019.

Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday.

Col. Yusuf noted that the movement of troops to and from the exercise area as well as the sound of gun shots which should be expected during the period of the exercise.

According to him, the general public is therefore advised to go about their daily activities without panic as this is a normal military routine exercise.

“The 82 Division, Nigerian Army will be conducting the 2019 range classification exercise in line with the Nigerian Army 2019 training schedule from April 23 to April 27 at the 34 Brigade Shooting Range, Owerri, Imo state.

“The exercise, which is an annual routine training activity, aims at testing personnel effectiveness in weapon handling and firing efficiency, thereby providing the required platform for better professional competence,’’ he said.