Residents of Plateau and Kaduna states have been advised not to panic over increased military activities as the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) commences its final outdoor training exercise for Officer Cadets of the 73 Regular Course and Short Service Course 49.
The exercise, codenamed CAMP HIGHLAND, will run from July 26 to August 15, 2026, across selected locations in both states as part of preparations for the cadets’ commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to the NDA, the training is designed to assess the cadets’ leadership qualities, physical endurance, command and control capabilities, as well as other core military skills required for active service.
The first phase of the exercise will take place in Plateau State from July 27 to August 2, featuring adventure training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre on Shere Hills and a map-reading exercise in Heipang, Jos.
Residents around Shere Hills and Heipang have been informed to expect increased movement of troops, military vehicles and equipment throughout the period.
The exercise will subsequently shift to Kachia in Kaduna State from August 3 to 15 for tactical operations and battle inoculation drills.
Communities around Katul Crossing, Antai, Gadanji, Unguwan Rege and the Maro axis in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area are expected to witness heightened troop movements, alongside the sound of small arms and artillery fire.
The NDA said the climax of the training, scheduled for August 14, will involve live ammunition, armoured vehicles and artillery within the Military Exercise Area near the Nigerian Army Base Camp in Kachia.
As a safety precaution, residents of Aninkwa, Insame and neighbouring communities have been advised to avoid the designated firing range for the duration of the exercise.
The academy assured members of the public that comprehensive safety measures have been put in place to safeguard civilians, urging residents to remain calm, continue with their normal activities and promptly report any suspicious security incidents to the relevant authorities.
The Commandant of the NDA, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, also appealed for public cooperation and encouraged residents to share information about the exercise to ensure communities remain adequately informed.
