Nigerian Army Flags Off Exercise ‘Still Water 2’ In 13 Brigade
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Nigerian Army combat exercise, tagged “Still Water 2”, has flagged off in the 13 Brigade area of its operations in partnership with the civil authorities to keep the nation’s maritime areas safe and secured from criminals.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Everest Okoro said the exercise, comprising land and riverine “real-time operations, would be used to counter security threats ranging from kidnapping, armed banditry, arms smuggling and proliferation, militancy and cultism.”
He explained that the exercise would also serve to build the confidence of the public in the capacity of the military and other security agencies to provide the much-needed secure environment during the yuletide and throughout the country’s ongoing electioneering process.
Further speaking on the exercise in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, General Okoro said the ‘Still Water’ exercise “would serve as an avenue to challenge commanders in their understanding and application of tactics, techniques, and procedures of various scenarios of an internal security environment.
“Exercise Still Water II will heighten the tempo of operations and ensure no respite for criminals, while at the same time ensuring law-abiding citizens enjoy the freedom to go about their legitimate activities.”
Similarly, he told Community stakeholders at the occasion that during the period, the troops would conduct “roadblocks, mobile patrols, riverine patrols, cordon and search, crowd dispersal, VIP protection, guarding of key points and vulnerable points, escort duties, imposition of curfew, rescue operations and raids to contain and deny criminals freedom of actions.”
In soliciting the cooperation of Cross Riverians and others within the 13 Brigade’s area of responsibility to make the exercise successful, General Okoro said the Brigade adopted the concept of a “Whole of Government Approach” by integrating relevant security agencies in the state to enhance the troops’ proficiency in the execution of ‘Military Operations Other Than War’ and cement existing cordial civil-military cooperation to facilitate civilian support for the military.”
He explained that; “The participation of other security agencies will also boost realism and foster interagency cooperation and inter-operability as well as ‘jointness’ in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision.
“The brigade will also carry out some civil-military activities in the form of medical outreaches, educational outreaches, the sinking of boreholes, and other activities that would impact positively on the lives of host communities.”
The Brigade Commander also charged all stakeholders, including the public, not to panic since the participants would consider the political, social, economic, cultural, religious, environmental, and humanitarian factors in the course of the various operations.
A representative of the Cross River State government, Dr. Alfred Mboto commended the Nigerian Army for its monumental contributions to the peace and security in the state and country.
Dr. Mboto expressed hope that the exercise will record huge successes in the coming weeks, noting that; “from the gallantry, you have displayed here, there is no doubt that exercise ‘Still Water II’ will be successful. I have been directed to inform you that the state will support the army conduct a successful exercise.
“I pray that throughout the duration of the exercise, it would be hitch-free, violent-free, and professionalism brought to bear. From the demonstration here, I hope that what the exercise is targeted to achieve would be achieved.”
Highlights of the opening ceremony were combat displays by troops as well as free health checks for members of the Ikang community in the Bakassi Local Government Area.