The Nigerian Army has announced a live-firing military exercise at the Damaturu Military Cantonment in Yobe State, warning residents, farmers and people living in neighbouring communities to stay away from the designated training area to avoid possible danger.
The exercise is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., according to a public notice issued by the Army.
The notice, signed by Lieutenant Abubakar Ibrahim, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, described the exercise as part of the military’s routine training operations.
The Army specifically warned members of the public against entering or conducting any activities within an 800-metre safety radius of the designated exercise area throughout the period of the operation.
It particularly urged farmers and residents of communities adjoining the cantonment to comply strictly with the restriction, stressing that their presence within the restricted zone could expose them to serious danger during the live-firing exercise.
The military emphasised that the warning was a necessary safety precaution intended to prevent civilians from being caught in the exercise area while live ammunition was being used.
It also appealed to residents not to panic over the planned operation, describing it as a standard military training procedure rather than an indication of an emergency or security threat.
“Please be assured that this is a standard procedure, and there is no cause for alarm,” the notice stated.
The Army further called on members of the public to cooperate with the safety measures and adhere to all restrictions during the exercise, noting that compliance would help protect lives and prevent avoidable incidents.
Residents, particularly those engaged in farming and other activities around the Damaturu Military Cantonment, were therefore advised to remain outside the designated safety zone until the exercise is concluded.