Guards Brigade in collaboration with other security organisations and agencies have flagged off Exercise Enduring Peace 2022 to address lingering security challenges confronting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and it’s environs.
This is in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) vision of “A professional Nigerian army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.
The Commander Guards Brigade, represented by the Chief of Staff, Guards Brigade, Colonel Oludele Peter Oyegoke noted that Exercise Enduring Peace is an offshoot of other already ongoing security operations such as Exercise Nut Cracker and G7 which has been on in the Brigade area of responsibility.
He stated further that the yearly operation is aimed at checkmating all security threats capable of making lives unbearable especially as the festive period and next year’s general elections draws closer.
Col Oyegoke stressed that for citizens in the federal capital and it’s environs to freely go about their normal activities, without fear of mmolestation all hands must be on deck to ensure safety of all.
He therefore charged all participants in the operation to go all out to deny the criminals freedom of operation while also putting into consideration the rules of engagement and self discipline in the use of fire arms.
Inter-agency synergy
While briefing the Commanding Officer 176 Guards Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Kolawole Adisa said the exercise is to further ensure strong inter-agency synergy and co-operation among others.
He said it would also feature intensive stop and search operations along all route within the FCT and it’s environs, adding that the exercise which is expected to last for 3months has troops drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, the Department of State Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Also participating in the Exercise are the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp as well as the local vigilante.
The troops have since began clearance operations within Kwali and Abaji Local Government Areas in the FCT.
Emmanuel Ukoh