Military assures Gombe community to remain calm, schedules live-fire training starting Monday

The Nigerian Army has revealed plans for the 301 Artillery Regiment to undertake its inaugural range classification exercise of 2026 in Gombe State.

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This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Lt. Kingsley Ugwuoke, the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the regiment.

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The exercise is slated to occur from Monday, March 30 to Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the regiment’s Small Arms Range in Liji, Gombe State, as part of the Army’s routine training programme.

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According to Ugwuoke, the exercise aims to enhance operational efficiency and is a mandatory training requirement for Nigerian Army troops, conducted biannually across various units and formations nationwide.

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The training is specifically designed to hone the skills of personnel in weapon handling, thereby improving their overall combat readiness and proficiency in achieving effective results during military operations.

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Ugwuoke emphasized that the exercise will also serve as an assessment of the troops’ preparedness for battle and other assigned duties, while refreshing the skills of professional soldiers.

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In a bid to allay concerns, the Army has urged residents of nearby communities to remain calm during the exercise, advising them not to panic upon hearing gunshots.

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Residents of communities situated around Liji, particularly those near the shooting range, have been cautioned against approaching the area during the exercise.

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Furthermore, farmers and hunters operating within the vicinity have been warned to avoid the range area throughout the exercise period to ensure their safety.

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The Army has appealed to the public, especially those engaged in farming or hunting within the range area, to steer clear of the location during this period.

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The military has called upon the media and community leaders to disseminate this information, ensuring compliance and public safety during the exercise.