AYEM AKPATUMA ll: Army vows to flush out criminals in Kogi

The Nigerian Army on Friday began a Field Training Exercise, tagged ”EX AYEM AKPATUMA ll” and vowed to flush out criminals from their various hideouts across Kogi State.
The exercise AYEM AKPATUM II will be conducted simultaneously in Kogi Taraba, Niger, Nassarawa and Benue States from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the flag-off ceremony at Irepene Super Military Camp Concept in Adavi LGA, said the exercise was introduced to fish out criminals.
He added that it would also flush criminals from their various hideouts to ensure safety of lives and property in Kogi and other North-Central States
Buratai, who was represented by Commander of Command Army Records (CARs), Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale, said the exercise, which involved the military and all other security agencies, would be held across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi.
According to him, information confirmed that there is importation of thugs into Kogi for the purpose of disrupting the Nov. 16 elections by the political parties, candidate and their agitators.
The COAS assured that the exercise would help to fish out kidnappers, arm bandits and all other criminals from their various hideouts, especially before, during and after the election.
He added that the army would offer free medical outreach for the people and carry out some other community development projects, during the period of the military exercise.
He opined that the exercise would also promote the existing relationship between the military, paramilitary and other security agencies and the people of Kogi.
He added that the exercise would be a “super camp” to bring in all the security agencies together in the 8 operational sectors across the 21 councils of the state.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy would also be carrying out aggressive patrols along the waterways during the exercise as a way of flushing out criminals.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, who flagged off the exercise, commended the military and other security agencies for the effort, adding that it would go a long way in ensuring peace, law and other in the state.
He assured residents of his governments continued support to the military in the state to ensure that the exercise was sustained.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for authorising the conduct of the exercise, assuring that his administration remained committed to ensuring the security of lives and property of the people of the state.
The governor, therefore, assured that the state government would continue to give its maximum cooperation and all the needed support as the chief security officer of the state to ensure that the exercise would have a lasting impact in the lives of the people of Kogi.
He noted that his administration had achieved a lot in reducing the trend of insecurity across the state to the barest minimum.
He stressed that the all important military exercise would go along way to preparing the state for a peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections.
He recalled that the gains of the conduct of the first phase of the exercise, Ayem Akpatuma 1, were far reaching to the development of the state.
”It is my belief that this exercise would be a game changer in the security architecture of the state. I give my full support to the conduct of this exercise.
”While wishing you a rewarding exercise period, I urge you to be professional and committed to the vision and mission of the exercise as expected by the Army Headquarters,” Bello said.
The Commander of CARs, also conducted the governor and heads of all the security agencies, round the different sections within the camp.