Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ken Chigbu, on Thursday, flagged off Exercise Still waters 111 in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to tackle all forms of security threats in the state through the yuletide.
Addressing the participants at the Step up Headquarters, Ikot Afanag, Essien Udim, Chigbu described the exercise as an annual field training aimed at bringing together all the security agencies in the state to sharpen their skills on the rudiments of internal security operations.
The Commander, who disclosed that the exercise would elapse on January 5, 2024, expressed hope that it would provide an opportunity for joint efforts to tackle the emerging security threats in the state, especially, during this yuletide period.
He explained that the 2 Brigade in collaboration with other sister security agencies in the state have supported the State Government through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to effectively tackle the threats bedevilling the State.
He said, “It is with a deep sense of humility and appreciation that I welcome you all to the Step-up Headquarters and flag-off ceremony for Exercise STILL WATERS III hosted by 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in Ikot Afanag, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“This event could not have come at a better time than now when there are growing concerns about the several security challenges confronting our dear State and nation at large.
“Suffice to recall that Exercise STILL WATERS is an annual field training exercise designed to serve as a unique forum where personnel of the security agencies in Akwa Ibom State converge to sharpen their skills on the rudiments of internal security operations, particularly to checkmate the security threats in the State through the yuletide season.”
The Commander noted that the 2 Brigade, under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General JH Abdussalam, is currently undergoing changes, noting that “the Brigade and the Division have continued to benefit immensely from the COAS Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force”
Meanwhile, the representative of Governor Umo Eno, Senator Akon Eyankenyin, his Deputy, commended the 2 Brigade for collaborating with other security agencies to ensure adequate security in the state, especially in the area of intelligence sharing.
The governor also lauded the 2Brigade for siting its base in Ikot Afanag, a volatile area ravaged by the activities of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), saying that their presence has restored peace and normalcy in the area and many displaced persons returned to their communities
