The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai has flagged off Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II in Takum, Taraba with a charge on troops to consolidate on the gains recorded during the first exercise in the state.
This is contained in a press statement by Maj. Ikechukwu Eze, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations on Sunday in Jalingo.
According to the statement, Buratai noted at the occasion that the Exercise was being conducted by Headquarters 3 Division, Headquarters Command Army Records, Headquarters Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade.
He explained that it would run simultaneously from November 1 to December 23, 2019 in Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue States.
COAS who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj Gen Nuhu Angbazo maintained that the 2019 exercise would be conducted in collaboration with other sister security services and paramilitary agencies.
“The exercise is aimed at building the capacity of the Nigerian Army personnel through practical exposure to sharpen skills in combating internal security threats across the North Central Region.
“It is also expected to strengthen civil – military relations between the military and good people of Taraba through civil – military cooperation activities such as medical outreach programmes, sanitation exercises, educational support among others,” he said.
The statement also quoted Coas as charging participating teams to take the Exercise seriously, be respectful to law abiding citizens, adhere strictly to Rules of Engagement while being very firm and decisive in dealing with criminals and those creating sense of insecurity in the country.
In his speech, Gov Darius Ishaku of Taraba according to the statement said the exercise provided opportunities for Officers and men of the Nigerian Army to operate alongside their counterparts from other sister Security Agencies to checkmate the myriads of security challenges in the State.
He maintained that the strength of any nation was in the ability of its military to protect its territorial integrity and support internal security.
He said he was sure that Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II would provide the platform for renewed and vigorous joint efforts to meet emerging threats.
Represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu, Ishaku noted that the choice of Kofa Ahmadu in Takum as the area for the flag-off of the exercise was significant because it is one of the hotbeds of the crises bedevilling the State and where recently a Revered Father was brutally murdered.
He urged those participating in the Exercise to also be courteous and polite to law abiding citizens and should be very firm and decisive in dealing with criminals.
According to the statement, the event was rounded up by a robust Medical Outreach provided by the Army in collaboration with Taraba Ministry of Health to members of the public.
The medical outreach and other CIMIC activities would run concurrently with the Exercise as it progresses.
