NDA Urges Neighbouring Communities Not to Panic as Cadets Begin Field Training

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has said its cadets are set for a final outdoor field training exercise and appealed to neighbouring communities not to panic on hearing gunshots.

The Public Relations Officer of the academy, Major Victor Olukoya, in a statement in Kaduna, said the final exercise comprised 70 Regular Course Army, Airforce Regiment and Direct Short Service Course 27 Army, and Course 31 Airforce nicknamed Exercise Camp Highland in Plateau and Kaduna States, adding that the exercise was scheduled to hold from July 30 to August 11, 2023.

He urged locals around Aninkwa, Insame, and neighbouring communities to stay away from the live firing area during the exercise.

According to the statement, the exercise would test the cadets’ leadership skills, physical fitness, as well as command and control abilities, among other military competencies, adding that it was an important military training activity used in ascertaining the preparedness of the cadets for commissioning as officers into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He further explained that phases of the exercise that would take place in Plateau State included Map Reading Exercise at Heipang and Adventure Training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, Jos, from 30 July to 4 August 2023.

He said tactical drills and battle inoculation drills would take place in the Kachia general area from 31 July to 11 August 2023, just as he appealed to communities living around Heipang and Shere Hills, Jos in Plateau State, that they would observe mass movement of military personnel, vehicles and equipment in the general area from 30th of July to 4th August 2023.

It further added that residents of Katul Crossing – Fadan Kamantan axis in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State would observe the same tactical drills involving firing simulation of small arms and artillery fire from 31st July to 11th of August 2023.

He urged the residents in these communities to report any security threat to the nearest authorities.

He said battle inoculation, which would involve the live firing of small arms, armour and artillery weapons, would be conducted from the 8th to 11th of August 2023 within the Military Exercise Area near Nigerian Army Base Camp, Kachia.