Ongoing exercise not aimed at Military occupation of S’East – Army

*CDS calls for increased collaboration in Armed Forces

The Nigerian Army has dispelled insinuations that the current exercise in the South East is targeted at militarily occupying the region.

Nigerian Army spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a briefing on Monday at the AHQ Conference Room in Abuja.

His words: “Before we proceed with the press briefing, it is crucial to dispel the unfounded narrative that the ongoing exercises are aimed at the military occupation of the South East.

“Contrary to this insinuation, the deployment of troops of the Nigerian Army is not only in South East Nigeria but also in the troubled parts of the country, particularly in the North West and North Eastern Nigeria where troops are conducting major operations to tackle more threatening national security challenges.”

He recalled that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, had on October 4th, 2021, flagged off military exercises across four regions of the country, explaining that they were taking place in 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Furthermore, these exercises are traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes as the yuletide approaches,” he said, adding that the exercises have recorded massive successes across the nation.

Brigadier General Onyema quoted the COAS as lauding the troops for the successes recorded so far in the exercises and called on them to keep the tempo.

“Troops are also encouraged to remain professional, vigilant, and exhibit utmost respect for the human rights of citizens in their respective areas of responsibilities,” Onyema further added in a statement he issued after the briefing.

“The Nigerian Army urges law-abiding citizens to take ownership of the ongoing exercises and volunteer useful actionable information to security agencies.”

According to him, the exercise has also experienced a non-kinetic line of operation with the Army offering free medical services to host communities.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, says there is a greater need for stronger collaboration in the armed forces, in order to effectively deal with contemporary security challenges in the country.

The defence chief made the remarks at the ongoing joint military operations planning exercise in Abuja, a week-long event that aims to prepare the Nigerian military for quick and effective response to contemporary and potential security threats in the country.

According to him, several ongoing military operations across the country require collaboration between the army, navy, air force and the police to succeed.

There are several ongoing military operations across the country. These operations are either targeted at combating security threats posed by proscribed groups, or other organized criminal groups who kidnap, kill or attack public infrastructure across the country.