Army, Navy, NAF, police, others conduct exercise on internal security

Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa

The 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has organised a one-week tactical training for own troops and sister security agencies.

The exercise was a part of the measures to overcome contemporary security challenges in the country.

Participants in the week-long training, tagged ’16 Brigade Tactical Exercise Without Troops 2022′, which ended in Elebele area of the state, were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.

Addressing participants during the closing ceremony on Friday, the Commander, 16 Brigade/Sector 2 Command, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Brigadier-General  Sadisu Yahaya, said from his interaction with them during the exercise, they had individually and collectively distinguished themselves and had sharpened their skills and knowledge of internal security operations.

He commended all the participants for the high standard of discipline and doggedness displayed throughout the duration of the exercise. 

The commander stated: “I am delighted to be here once again for the closing ceremony of the 16 Brigade Tactical Exercise Without Troops 2022.  Just a few days ago,  I declared the exercise  open and I believe it has been a rewarding period for you all. I am convinced beyond doubt that the noble ideas behind the exercise have been achieved. 

“As leaders in your various agencies, you have not only demonstrated your capabilities but also displayed the much needed synergy and cooperation that is required to overcome contemporary security challenges. History will continue to beckon on you for the show of commitment and resilence you have demonstrated during this exercise.

“Most importantly, the exercise presented a good  number of operational scenarios such as crowd dispersal, cordon and search, curfew, road block, patrol, ambush and raid operations which would have entered your level of proficiency.

“I am happy to note that you have had a rewarding experience from the lessons taught and be willingly ready to share the experience with your colleagues in your respective agencies when the need arises.

“It is pertinent to state that lessons learnt during this exercise will be put to use during the forthcoming ‘Exercise Still Waters’ which will start in a few weeks’ times.  I will, on this note, urge all participants not to forget what was taught during this exercise.”

Yahaya also thanked the various contributing sister agencies for honouring the Brigade’s invitation to be part of this exercise.

He equally commended those that had contributed positively to the succes of this exercise, stressing that opportunity such as that had provided a platform to demonstrate selfless service to the nation.

He added: “The expectations have been met largely; over 90% has been met for us to  understand that the challenges we are having today can only be tackled when all of us are together and that is the essence of this joint training.

“I am satisfied with the level of understanding and level of assimilation of what was being taught and the importance of joint force. What that means is that no single service alone can handle the security challenges being faced today.”

Some of the participants interviewed during the ceremony said the exercise was rewarding and had broadened their understanding of tactical operations.

A participant from the NSCDC, Superintendent  Ojo Temitope Victor, said the training was very educating  and interesting.

Victor said: “My coming here in the past one week has made me to learn a lot of things, particularly how to synergise with other security agencies to carry out effective operations to ensure the nation and the country at large is safe.”

On his part, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Isaac Seibokuro said the training was edifying and believed it would help them future operations.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to the participants from the  respective sister agencies.