The Nigerian Army has vowed to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements with ‘Exercise Enduring Peace’ launched in Kogi.

The army also offered free medical services and drugs to indigent locals of its host communities along with the exercise.

The communities are Irepe-Rukura, Zariagi, and Kabba Junction in the Adavi local government area of the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the exercise involved other security agencies in Kogi.

According to him, making it a joint exercise aligns with his vision of having a professional Nigerian Army.

“This clearly underscores the fact that all security agencies are critical stakeholders and, therefore, we must work together to achieve the common goal of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians everywhere,” he said.

Represented by the Commander of the Command Army Records, Maj.-Gen. Okpe Ali, the army chief expressed his gratitude to the governor for always providing the enabling environment to operate in the state.

The army boss stressed that the exercise was designed to be conducted in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of criminality as the Yuletide season approaches.
He emphasised that the exercise was a result of the prevailing security challenges in the country.

He added that similar exercises were ongoing in other parts of the country under different names depending on the threats perception and peculiarities of the region.

He noted that the exercise was expected to hold from October 4 to December 23, 2021, with a series of operational activities, including patrols, ambushes, and raids of criminal hideouts.

“It will also witness some non-kinetic activities in the form of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programmes such as medical outreach, among others. Our choice of medical outreach to kick-start ‘Exercise Enduring Peace’ is firmly rooted in our belief that the support of host communities is key to the success of the entire programme,” he stated. “This medical outreach is put together to support the host communities within our areas of operation and to have their cooperation.”

Governor Yahaya Bello, who inaugurated the exercise, commended the army chief for the initiative.

Mr Bello stressed that the ongoing military onslaught against insurgents and bandits across the country indicated that the military was determined to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria.

“Kogi is a home of peace, and my administration is determined that residents sleep with their two eyes closed,” he added.

(NAN)