The Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, has notified Plateau and Kaduna states residents of the final outdoor Field Training Exercise for Officer Cadets of 73 Regular Course and Short Service Course 49 starting this week. Named Exercise CAMP HIGHLAND, the training will run from 26 July to 15 August 2026 across Plateau and Kaduna States.

The NDA, therefore, urged residents not to panic on hearing sound oof gunshots or military artilleries.

The military Academy said the goal is to test the cadets’ leadership skills, physical fitness, command and control abilities, and other core military competencies ahead of their commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

In Plateau State, the first phase will take place from 27 July to 2 August 2026. Cadets will undergo Adventure Training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre on Shere Hills, followed by a Map Reading Exercise at Heipang in Jos. During this period, residents around Shere Hills and Heipang should expect to see movement of troops, vehicles, and equipment in the area.

The exercise will then move to Kachia in Kaduna State for the Tactical and Battle Inoculation phase, scheduled from 3 to 15 August 2026. Communities along Katul Crossing, Antai, Gadanji, Unguwan Rege, and the Maro axis in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area will notice increased troop movement, as well as the sound of small arms and artillery fire throughout that window.

The most intensive part, Battle Inoculation, will be held on 14 August 2026 within the Military Exercise Area near the Nigerian Army Base Camp in Kachia. It will involve live ammunition, armoured vehicles, and artillery.

For safety, residents of Aninkwa, Insame, and surrounding areas are advised to stay away from the firing range for the duration of the exercise. The Academy stressed that while training will be ongoing, members of the public should not panic and can continue their daily routines.

The NDA assured locals that all safety measures have been put in place to protect civilians, and urged communities to remain vigilant and report any security breaches to authorities. The Commandant, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, appealed for public cooperation and asked that information about the exercise be shared widely so residents are properly informed.