STRENGTHENING NATIONAL SECURITY: SERVICES WAR COLLEGES ENDS STRATEGIC EXERCISE “EX SKY LOCK” 2024
The Strategic National Exercise/Joint Operations Planning Exercise, nicknamed “Ex SKY LOCK,” concluded today August 7, 2024, at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai Auditorium of the Army War College Nigeria in Asokoro, Abuja. Held from July 29 to August 7, the exercise aimed to equip participants with the skills to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges facing Nigeria.
“Ex SKY LOCK” serves as a strategic exercise that culminates the Professional Military Education (PME) packages at the National Defence College (NDC) and the three Services War Colleges: Army War College Nigeria, Naval War College Nigeria, and Air Force War College Nigeria. The exercise covered various national security aspects, including strategic assessments, inter-agency coordination, logistics planning, and operations against terrorism and insurgency. Participants practiced planning and conducting these activities in different scenarios as leaders and staff, while also gaining insights into potential threats faced by the Nigerian Armed Forces by planning from the perspective of militants and extremists.
The comprehensive exercise involved rigorous planning and execution phases, focusing on enhancing the participants’ ability to operate cohesively in joint and inter-agency environments. This approach is crucial for addressing the multifaceted security threats facing the nation. The scenarios designed for the exercise aimed to simulate real-life situations, thereby providing the participants with hands-on experience in managing complex security operations.
The final day featured an exercise wash-up session where participants reviewed the outcomes, shared feedback, and discussed ways to enhance future exercises. Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, the Commandant of the Naval War College, representing the Services War Colleges, commended the participants for their dedication and effort throughout the exercise. He emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge and skills gained during “Ex SKY LOCK” to their respective operational engagements to strengthen national security.
The event’s highlights included the presentation of souvenirs to the supervisors and a group photograph to commemorate the successful completion of “Ex SKY LOCK” 2024.