Army Launches Operation Ayem For Benue, Nasarawa, Others

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Nigerian Army is planning another round of special training and tactical maneuverings as part of measures to tackle recent upsurge in armed banditry, kidnapping and criminality across the country.

Code named ‘Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA’, the operation will cover Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states that have witnessed sundry crimes; herdsmen/farmers clashes; cattle rustling; and attacks on innocent members of the communities.

At a media briefing by Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major General David D. Ahmadu, the Nigerian Army said Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA (‘Cat Race’), to be conducted in 1 and 3 Divisions, including HQ CAR, Gds Bde and 707 SF Bde Areas of Responsibility, will hold from Thursday, February 15 to Saturday, March 31, 2018. 

Last year, the Nigerian Army conducted several training activities for its personnel in different geopolitical zones of the country, in line with its constitutional role in aid of civil authority.

General Ahmadu said the exercise has “become more expedient due to upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger States as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities, particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States by armed militias.”

“These security challenges have continued unabatedly in these States despite the efforts by sister security agencies to curb them. The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and to imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 1 and 3 Divisions including HQ CAR, Gds Bde and 707 SF Bde Areas of Responsibility in aid of civil authority calls for this exercise”, he said.

According to him, the Army’s drive to actualize the COAS vision of having a ‘Professionally Responsive NA in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles’, informs the plan for the conduct of this exercise, adding that; “This exercise will be conducted in conjunction with other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.  It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias perpetrating criminal acts in these States and its environs.”

He said, additionally, the exercise “is also conceptualized to dovetail into real time operations thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals when called upon.”

“Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA will also be unique as the ones before it with the establishment of Step-Up Brigade Headquarters in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States. Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach”, General Ahmadu said.

He further stated that; “It is pertinent to note that Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA is set to be another remarkable exercise that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in troubled areas.  In this regard, members of the public especially the residents of Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States are enjoined not to panic as the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law abiding citizens have been deliberately factored in the planning of this exercise.”

General Ahmadu explained that the troops taking part in the exercise would be guided by the Professional Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement and the respect for human rights, even as he urged the general public “to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected criminals may be fleeing from military operations in these areas and finding safe haven amidst our communities.”

The Army also challenged the public to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action, stressing that; “to ensure cordial civil-military relations, we shall make contact phone numbers of all Brigade Commanders public in addition to the Nigerian Army short code Information and Call  Centre 193.”