The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has announced plans to conduct a Brigade Inter-Battalion Shooting Competition for cadets of the 73 Regular Course Army on Saturday.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Major Reuben Kovangiya, who advised residents of communities around the NDA shooting range to exercise caution during the exercise.

According to the statement, the competition will take place at the NDA Open Range in Afaka, Kaduna State. Kovangiya specifically urged inhabitants of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka, as well as the general public in surrounding areas, to avoid the vicinity throughout the duration of the exercise.

“NDA wishes to inform the public, especially the inhabitants of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general area, that it will be conducting Cadets Brigade Inter-Battalion Shooting Competition for Cadets of 73 Regular Course Army,” he said.

The spokesperson explained that the exercise is part of the cadets’ routine military training and assured the public that adequate safety measures had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“The NDA assures the public that all necessary safety measures have been emplaced for the successful conduct of the exercise. However, the public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise,” Kovangiya added.

He conveyed the assurances and goodwill of the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, to residents of the affected communities.

The NDA regularly conducts live-fire exercises as part of its training curriculum, often issuing public advisories to ensure the safety of surrounding communities.