S/Kaduna: Army begins war games in April

The Nigerian Army said it would launch exercise Harbin Kunama II in April 2017, as part of measures to curtail insecurity in the North West geo-political zone, especially the Southern Kaduna area, of Kaduna state.

The Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPs) Nigerian Army, Major General David Ahmadu stated this yesterday in Abuja during a press conference on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Training Directive for the year 2017.

He said: “Exercise Harbin Kunama II would be held in the North West geopolitical zone, Specifically in Southern Kaduna, Birnin Gwari, Kuyambana Forest and contiguous areas in Plateau State, Lame Burra forests in Bauchi State and Falgore Forest in Kano state and the adjoining areas.”

He said the Exercise will hold in April 2017, adding that it will also entail some civil military exercises, such as medical outreaches, security awareness seminar, construction of borehole, renovation of schools, and donation of educational materials and repair of roads by Army Engineers.

Earlier, General Ahmadu said the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) is scheduled to commence in March 2017 in Sambisa forest.

He said it would entail interformation competition to sharpen marksmanship of army personnel, with the best wining the Chief of Army Staff trophy.

He noted that the competition which would be the first held in seven years will also be accompanied by concentration of fires from direct and indirect weapons systems of the Nigerian Army.

He said the Roland Missile Systems in the Nigerian Army inventory will also be tested during the NASAC.

He added that the NASAC and Exercise Harbin Kunama II will entail massive movement of personnel and military hardware across the country.

He noted that the general public should not panic because of the massive weapons movement as their safety is guaranteed.