The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has confirmed that the bangs and gunshot-like noises heard by residents of Nabua and neighbouring communities on Sunday night were part of a planned training exercise, not a security incident. The military said the multi-day exercise began on Monday, April 20, and will run through Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with activity centred around the Fiji Training Group camp and surrounding areas including Makoi, Colo-i-Suva and Delaikobalevu.
In an earlier advisory to the public, the RFMF warned that the operation would involve the movement of troops and the use of blank rounds and pyrotechnics to simulate battle noise. “The exercise will involve the movement of troops and the use of blank rounds and pyrotechnics to simulate battle noise,” the forces said, underscoring that the sounds were training artefacts rather than live-fire incidents. Residents who reported hearing what sounded like gunshots on Sunday night — the night immediately preceding the start of the exercise — had raised alarm until authorities clarified the source.
The military has urged motorists and members of the public to avoid the areas where drills are being conducted for the duration of the exercise, citing safety and operational reasons. The RFMF stressed that it had "ensured that all safety measures have been considered prior to the exercise," though it did not provide detailed information about those measures or any temporary access restrictions or road closures that might be in place. Local authorities and the military typically co-ordinate such logistics, the RFMF added.
This clarification is the latest development after initial public concern about unexplained loud noises in the Nabua area. Community members had contacted authorities seeking confirmation before the RFMF's advisory was widely disseminated. The incident highlights how routine training can cause alarm in residential areas when communications about timing and scope are not immediately available to neighbours.
Military training exercises that include simulated battle noise are part of routine preparedness activities for the RFMF, designed to maintain operational readiness. Similar preparedness initiatives across government and service agencies — such as recent emergency-response drills at Nadi International Airport and regional health-sector outbreak training — reflect an ongoing emphasis on strengthening response capability, but they also require clear public notices to prevent misunderstanding and distress.
For now, the RFMF reiterates its advice that the public stay clear of the exercise zones through April 28 and to observe any instructions issued by military personnel or civil authorities on site. Residents with concerns are encouraged to seek information through official channels to avoid confusion during exercises that involve noise and visible troop movements.