- Nigerian Army graduates 1,178 Special Forces after six months of intensive training.
- Troops tasked with tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
- Army Chief urges personnel to uphold human rights and the rule of law during operations.
The Nigerian Army has graduated 1,178 Special Forces personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the troops completed the six-month Advanced Infantry Training Programme under Exercise Restore Hope X at the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kachia, Kaduna State.
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Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Friday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, described the programme as a key pillar of the Army’s post-basic training aimed at producing professional, resilient and combat-ready personnel capable of responding to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to him, the training is designed to build the soldiers’ combat skills, strengthen discipline and prepare them for modern security operations.
“The programme is designed to instil the warrior ethos, sharpen combat skills and prepare our soldiers to confront emerging security threats,” Shaibu said.
He noted that the graduation comes as the Nigerian Army expands its operational capacity following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of additional divisions, formations and units across the country.
Shaibu disclosed that many of the newly trained Special Forces personnel would form the backbone of the newly established formations.
The Army Chief urged the graduates to justify the investment made in their training by remaining disciplined, adaptable and technologically proficient in the field.
“Our adversaries continue to evolve in tactics and sophistication. You must remain adaptable, innovative, physically fit, mentally alert and technologically proficient to defeat them,” he said.
He identified terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist agitations and transnational organised crime as the major threats facing Nigeria.
Shaibu also reminded the troops to respect the rule of law, protect the rights of civilians and strictly adhere to the military’s rules of engagement while carrying out operations.
“I charge you to remain morally upright and conduct yourselves in a manner that reflects the values of the Nigerian Army,” he added.
He further assured the personnel of the Army’s continued support and encouraged newly appointed instructors to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and dedication.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj. Gen. Valentine Okoro, described the graduation as another significant milestone in the Nigerian Army’s drive to build a highly skilled and combat-effective force.
Okoro explained that the six-month programme equipped participants with advanced tactical skills needed for modern military operations, including tactical manoeuvres, marksmanship, weapon handling, field craft, endurance, combat medicine, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.
He revealed that while the training initially relied on foreign partners, Nigerian instructors now fully manage and continuously improve the programme.
According to him, graduates from previous batches have contributed significantly to military operations across various theatres in the country.
Okoro added that the improvements observed in the trainees’ physical fitness, tactical competence, confidence and decision-making abilities demonstrate the effectiveness of the programme.
He also disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had approved the award of Basic Infantry Course certificates and trade certifications to the graduates, adding that lessons from the latest exercise would be used to enhance future editions of the training.
The ceremony concluded with practical demonstrations showcasing the combat skills acquired by the graduating Special Forces during the six-month exercise.
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