The Nigerian Army yesterday inaugurated a three-month joint security field exercise codenamed: ‘Still Waters’ to combat crime and insecurity in four states – Lagos, Ogun, Edo and Delta.

In Lagos, the exercise was flagged off at Ojota, with the army temporary relocating the 9 Brigade Field Headquarters to the trailer park for ease of movement of troops and equipment.

Ojota was chosen as field headquarters this year, following alleged plans by fleeing terrorists to attack strategic locations in the state.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, said it would be simultaneously conducted in all formations within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), covering Lagos and Ogun States, to reassure law-abiding citizens and the public of the army’s commitment and readiness to provide security and safety.

Ajunwa said: “The objective of the exercise, among others, is to reduce to the barest minimum the prevailing security threats in the riverine environment such as piracy, illegal oil bunkering activities, pipeline vandalism, cultism, militancy, terrorism and some other common sundry crimes.

“It is also aimed at sharpening the professional skills of the security personnel that are involved in the exercise. The exercise will be intelligence-driven and will dovetail into real-time operations at any moment a potent threat is encountered. This will be in line with the military constitutional role of conducting internal security operations in aid to civil authority.

“I am very confident that the objectives for the conduct of the exercise will be achieved to further enhance the troops’ professional knowledge, capacity in conduct of joint operations and synergy of efforts to tackle commonly perceived security challenges in 81 Division’s AOR.”

The Commander 9Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Isangubong Akpaumotia, said the exercise was designed to curtail the activities of militants, bandits, armed robbers, cybercriminals, cultists, hoodlums and illegal oil bunkerers in Lagos and its environs.

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He said: “Generally, there have been reports of criminal activities in some part of Lagos and a rumoured attempt by fleeing bandits and terrorists to attack the economic nerve centre of the country. Similarly, there were frequent reports of cult groups attempting a takeover of many communities such as Oworonshoki, Surulere, Apapa, Mushin, Ikorodu, Ojo and Ajao Estate, among others.

“Despite the efforts of security agencies, these criminal elements have continued to engage in kidnapping, armed banditry, militancy, armed robbery, cultism and other violent criminalities in the city. Given these criminal activities, the Brigade was tasked to conduct ‘Ex Still Water’ to curtail these criminal activities as we approach the end-of-year festivities.

The highpoint of the exercise flag-off was medical outreach conducted at the Ojota Motor park, which attracted over 500 residents of Biode Community, who received free diagnoses, medical tests, dental services, an eye clinic, free drugs and reading glasses, among others.

In Edo, the Army inaugurated “Operation Still Water II” in Ehor, near Benin, where Brig.-Gen. Danladi Ndahi, Commander, 4 Brigade Headquarters, Benin, said the exercise was intended to rid Edo of crimes.

Ndahi said the crimes included kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, farmers/herders clash, child trafficking, communal clashes, drug peddling and oil bunkering.

According to him, the second phase of the operation would consolidate the gains of the first one, carried out in 2021.

Ndahi said: “It is also tailored towards enhancing the protection of innocent and law-abiding citizens and building confidence amongst the civil populace in the state during the ember months.”

Also, in Delta, the 63 Brigade held its ceremony in Asaba. The Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army Asaba, Brig. Gen. David Saraso, said Exercise Still Water II was part of the Army’s forecast of events.

Saraso: “This training exercise is systematically planned to mentally engage and prepare troops to be ready for combat anytime the need arises.

“The exercise is also in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) vision to have a professional army ready to accomplish the assigned mission within a joint environment.

“Let me say here that the exercise has been carefully packaged to cover all areas of security concerns in the state so as to garner participation from all stakeholders in security architecture in Delta.”

He listed the police, DSS, and paramilitary organizations like the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps as co-participants in the exercise.

In his address, Governor Okowa applauded the Brigade command for the exercise which he described as a laudable initiative.

Okowa said: “I believe that this laudable exercise will go a long way to build an inter-agency relationship in tackling security challenges facing us as a nation.”