The Nigerian Army 6 Division Headquarters has conducted a sanitation exercise along Igwuruta-Etche Road and Elele in Ikwerre Local Council of Rivers State as part of activities leading up to the 162nd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025.

The event, held on Saturday in Umuakpa Community and Elele, involved troops clearing heaps of refuse along the roads. Speaking to reporters at the exercise, Brigadier General Emmanuel Adamu, Chief of Staff of the Division, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, stated that the initiative aimed to raise awareness about the forthcoming Nigerian Army Day celebration and enhance civil-military relations.

“The Nigerian Army Day celebration is a yearly event celebrated on July 6 to commemorate the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army to the nation,” said Brigadier General Adamu.

He added: “A series of activities have been lined up to commemorate the day, one of which is the sanitation exercise being organised here today to create more awareness and improve our civil-military relations efforts.”

Brigadier General Adamu highlighted the Army’s commitment to engaging with local communities and fostering partnerships to maintain cleanliness.

The Nigerian Army Day celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on the military’s history, achievements, and renewed commitment to national security and global peace.

During the event, Lt. Col. Isaac Gbenga Fashona, Commanding Officer of the 5 Battalion and Cantonment, Elele, emphasised the Army’s appreciation for its host communities.

“Today, we are doing environmental sanitation in our host community. We are giving back to them to reassure them that we are part of them, which is why we came out en masse to render sanitation,” Fashona said.

“This is our way to say thank you to our host community for making the place habitable and peaceful for us to stay,” he added.