The 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, has begun Exercise Still Water II at Ikang community in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River.

The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Everest Okoro, during the event on Thursday, said that the exercise was meant to curb kidnapping, militancy, armed robbery, cultism among others.

Mr Okoro said that troops would plan and conduct operations in both land and riverine environments that were volatile, unpredictable, chaotic and ambiguous in real-time.

According to him, real-time operations will be used to counter security threats in the state, ranging from kidnapping, armed banditry, arms smuggling/proliferation, militancy to cultism.

“Exercise Still Water would also serve as an avenue to challenge commanders in their understanding and application of the tactics, techniques and procedures of various scenarios of an internal security environment.

“The exercise will heighten the tempo of operations and ensure no respite for criminals throughout the Area of Responsibility while at the same time, ensuring law-abiding citizens enjoy the freedom to go about their legitimate activities.

“This period was carefully selected by the Army Headquarters to checkmate the activities of criminals during the yuletide period and the political activities that have commenced towards the 2023 general elections,” he said.

The commander, therefore, solicited the support of residents of the state towards the success of the exercise.

He noted that the exercise would

afford the army the opportunity to further cement the existing cordial civil-military cooperation, thereby facilitating civilian support to the military.

“All personnel of all units of the Brigade across the state, including those from other security agencies, will jointly participate in the exercise which implies comprehensive capacity building.

“During the exercise, troops are expected to conduct roadblocks, mobile patrols, riverine patrols, cordon and search, crowd dispersal, guarding of key points and vulnerable points.

“The troops are also expected to conduct escort duties, imposition of curfew, rescue operations and raids to contain and deny criminals freedom of action.

“The Brigade will also carry out some civil-military activities in forms of medical outreaches, educational outreaches, sinking of boreholes and other activities that will impact positively on the lives of host communities,” he said.

Also, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Dr Alfred Mboto, commended the synergy of security agencies in the state.

Mr Ayade, who lauded security agencies in the state for their contribution towards peace building and security provision, pledged his administration’s commitment to the success of the exercise.

Service Chiefs from Air Force, Customs, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Correctional Service, Immigration, National Drug Law  Enforcement Agency attended the event. 

(NAN)