The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on the 10th of October 2023, initiated three simultaneous training exercises in Lagos. These exercises, namely EXERCISE STILL WATERS 3, GOLDEN DAWN 3, and ENDURING PEACE 3, have been launched to safeguard lives and property as the year approaches its conclusion.
These exercises are designed to address security challenges in the South South, South East, South West, and North Central regions of Nigeria and will run concurrently in their respective geopolitical zones until the end of the year.
During the flag-off ceremony, General Lagbaja emphasized that these exercises are intended to address various emerging security challenges unique to each affected geopolitical zone. The goal is to minimize the escalation of these issues that often occurs in the final quarter of the year when many Nigerians travel around the country during the holiday season. Consequently, creating a safe and secure environment for citizens to conduct their lawful activities without fear or apprehension is of paramount importance.
General Lagbaja issued a strong directive to the troops, urging them to perform their duties with diligence while adhering to the law and prescribed codes of conduct. He emphasized that the military should not become a problem for the citizens they are tasked with protecting.
Furthermore, the COAS inaugurated “EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP” at the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos, aimed at clearing Unexploded Explosive Ordnances from the site of a regrettable 2002 bomb blast that occurred at the Nigerian Army Cantonment in Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.
During the inauguration, General Lagbaja explained that the objective of this exercise is to thoroughly decontaminate the epicenter of the Ikeja bomb blast and remove all verified and suspected remaining Unexploded Explosive Ordnances in the cantonment area. He noted that while initial clearance efforts had increased safety in the Cantonment and its surroundings, the recent discovery of additional Unexploded Explosive Ordnances necessitated a follow-up clearance operation.
The COAS stated that the exercise would span 61 days and assured the public, particularly residents of Lagos and Ogun states, that there is no need for alarm if they observe the movement of specialized military vehicles or hear controlled explosions during the exercise. Stringent safety and security measures have been put in place to ensure that the exercise is accident-free. Additionally, General Lagbaja disclosed that, in line with global best practices, various emergency and response agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Emergency Management Agency, and medical personnel, will collaborate to ensure the exercise’s successful completion.
General Lagbaja expressed his gratitude to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for unwavering support to the Nigerian Army in carrying out its constitutional duties. He also reassured that incidents like the one that occurred at the Nigerian Army Cantonments will not be allowed to recur.
The flag-off event was attended by various dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu (represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde), the Oba of Onigbongbo Kingdom, HRH Oba Adeyemi Ajasa, Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, and heads of security agencies in Lagos state, among others.
The COAS later paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, and also visited Headquarters 192 Battalion in Owode, Ogun state.