Exercise Still Waters 111 was launched on Thursday in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by Brigadier General Ken Chigbu, Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, to address all types of security threats in the state over the holiday season.
Ikot Afanag, Essien Udim, and Chigbu addressed the participants at the Step up Headquarters and described the exercise as an annual field training intended to bring together all the security agencies in the state to hone their abilities on the fundamentals of internal security operations.
The Commander expressed the expectation that the exercise would present a chance for collaborative efforts to address the new security concerns in the state, particularly during this holiday season, and revealed that it will end on January 5, 2024.
He clarified that the 2 Brigade has assisted the State Government by using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to effectively counter the dangers plaguing the State in conjunction with other sister security agencies in the state.
“I welcome you all to the Step-up Headquarters and flag-off ceremony for Exercise STILL WATERS III hosted by the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in Ikot Afanag, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.
“This event could not have occurred at a more appropriate time than right now, when worries about the various security difficulties facing our beloved State and the country as a whole are mounting.
“Suffice to say that Exercise Still Waters is an annual field training exercise designed to act as a special venue where personnel of the security agencies in Akwa Ibom State congregate to hone their skills on the fundamentals of internal security operations, particularly to checkmate the security threats in the State through the yuletide season.”
The Commander stated that the 2 Brigade is currently undergoing changes under the direction of Major General JH Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and noted 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.”
Senator Akon Eyankenyin, Governor Umo Eno’s deputy, praised the 2 Brigade for working with other law enforcement organizations to maintain appropriate security in the state, particularly in the area of intelligence sharing.
The governor also praised the 2Brigade for locating its base in Ikot Afanag, a dangerous region devastated by the actions of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s Eastern Security Network (ESN). He claimed that their presence had brought peace and normalcy to the area and allowed many displaced people to return to their communities.