By MOHAMMAD TIJJANI

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) says it will conduct its final outdoor field training exercise for officer cadets from July 26 to Aug. 15.

The exercise, code-named Exercise Camp Highland 2026, is for Army cadets of the 73 Regular Course and Short Service Course 49.

The Academy disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, Maj. Reuben Kovangiya.

Kovangiya said the exercise was designed to test the cadets’ leadership skills, physical fitness, command and control abilities and other military competencies ahead of their commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He said the exercise would be conducted in Plateau and Kaduna States, with phases including adventure training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, and map reading exercises at Heipang, Jos, from July 27 to Aug. 2.

According to him, the tactical and battle inoculation phases will take place in Kachia, Kaduna State, from Aug. 3 to Aug. 15.

He said communities around Shere Hills and Heipang in Jos would observe the movement of troops, vehicles and military equipment between July 26 and Aug. 2.

He added that residents of Katul-Crossing, Antai, Gadanji, Unguwan Rege and Maro axis in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna would also observe troop movements and small arms and artillery fire from July 31 to Aug. 15.

Kovangiya said the battle inoculation exercise, involving live ammunition, small arms, armoured vehicles and artillery, would be conducted on Aug. 14 within the military exercise area near the Nigerian Army Base Camp, Kachia.

He advised residents of Aninkwa, Insame and adjoining communities to stay away from the firing range throughout the exercise.

The PRO urged members of the public not to panic but to continue their daily activities without fear, while remaining vigilant and promptly reporting any security breach to the relevant authorities.

He assured the public that the Academy had put in place safety measures to ensure the protection of residents and communities affected by the exercise.

He appealed for the cooperation of the public and local communities throughout the exercise. (NAN)

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