By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Hard time awaits criminals in kogi state as the Nigerian Army, Headquarters, Command Army Records launch exercise, code named: ”Exercise Enduring Peace,” to patrol, ambush and root out criminals in their hideouts in the state.
Our Correspondent gathered that besides, the exercise is meant for the officers to extend medical outreach of free medical services, screening and give drugs to some indigent residents of the host communities-Irepe-Rukura, Zariagi and Kabba junction in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the event on Monday in Lokoja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the Exercise Enduring Peace, was a joint exercise involving all security agencies in Kogi State.
Yahaya,who was represented by Commander, Command Army Records (CARs), Maj.- Gen. Okpe William Ali, commended Governor Yahaya Bello for providing the environment that enabled security agencies to operate in the state.
COAS said the decision to make a joint exercise was in consonance with his vision to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission, within a joint environment,in defence of Nigeria.
”This clearly underscores the fact that, all security agencies are critical stakeholders and therefore, we must work together to achieve a common goal of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians everywhere,” he said.
The Army boss addedd the exercise was an Army level exercise, designed to be conducted in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of criminalities as the Yuletide season approaches.
He emphasised that it was as a result of the prevailing security challenges across he country, adding that similar exercises were ongoing in other parts of the country under different names, depending on the threat perception and peculiarities of each region.
General Yahaya disclosed that the exercise would hold from Oct. 4, to Dec. 23, 2021, with series of operational activities which include patrols, ambushes and raid of criminal hideouts.
“It will also witness some non kinetic activities in the form of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programmes such as Medical Outreach amongst 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 exercise and operations.
“Therefore, this medical outreach is put together to support the host communities within our areas of operation for their cooperation.
”It is also meant to further cement the existing cordial relationship between Command Army Records and the host communities”, he said.
Maj.- Gen.Ali, in his capacity, commended the COAS for providing the resources for the medical outreach and the entire exercise, saying, ”Sir, we are very grateful”.
In his remarks, Governor Yahaya Bello, who inaugurated the exercise, also commended the COAS for the initiative and for instilling courage in the mind of the military for a well coordinated operation in the recent onslaught against insurgency, kidnappings and banditry bedeviling the nation .
Bello, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Cdr. Jerry Omodara rtd, vowed that his administration would continue to destroy houses and properties traced to any criminal element in the state.
The governor further assured that his administration would leave no stone unturned to destroy all criminal hideouts in the state.
Bello stressed that the ongoing military onslaught against insurgents and bandits,across the country, was a clear attestation that the military was determined to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria.
He commended the synergies among security agencies in the state, and urged them to remain resolute in the fight against criminalities in Nigeria.
“My administration will not spare any criminal in Kogi State; we will continue to demolish their houses and properties no matter how connected they are.
”Kogi is a home of peace and my administration is determined that residents sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.
Earlier, the Regimental Medical Officer, Capt. Nurudeen Saka, noted that the outreach was planned with the prevailing illness in the area in mind, such as malaria, worm infestation, HTN, DM and eye problems.
He added that the outreach would involve sharing of treated mosquito nets to members of the communities adjoining the exercise area.