The Muhammadu Buhari regime has launched ‘Operation Still Waters’ to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges in six states of Nigeria.

The exercise, which began on Monday, would run through December in states under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, namely, Edo, Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo.

Launching the exercise in Ibadan, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gold Chibuishi, said the operation was “to boost troops’ ability to tackle the current security challenges in Nigeria.”

Mr Chibuishi said the army would collaborate with other security agencies to address the security challenges in the states under the division.

“The operation will be based on real-time operation to checkmate criminality and strengthen civil/military relations between security and people of the states under the division areas of responsibility.

“Other operations currently being launched in other zones are Exercise Enduring Peace in the North Central and Exercise Golden Dawn in the South East and parts of South-South.

“These exercises are expected to be conducted concurrently with other operations in the North East and North West,” Mr Chibuishi said.

In his remark, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, urged the army to synergise with other security agencies and the public.

The state commissioner of police, Ngozi Onadeko and representatives of customs, NDLEA, air force, NSCDC, FRSC, among others, were present at the launch.

(NAN)