Terrorism: Army graduates new special Forces battalion in Nasarawa

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Nigerian Army has graduated a new Special Forces battalion in Doma, Nassarawa state, to curb the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal group terrorizing the country.

The new battalion according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, would boost the capability of the Nigerian army to conduct specialised operations, navigate difficult terrain and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks across the country.

In his address at the graduation ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State, the COAS, who charged the Special Forces personnel to uphold discipline, precision, sound judgment and respect for human rights, said that tactical success must not undermine public confidence.

He also emphasized intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and joint cooperation with sister Services and other security agencies as essential to achieving sustainable security outcomes.

He said the new battalion has become necessary to strengthen operational readiness following the expansion of the Army’s divisions from eight to 12, by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Gen. Shaibu, while noting that the Army’s expansion from 8 to 12 divisions requires commensurate specialised capabilities to sustain operational readiness and extend security coverage across the country, said the new battalion will strengthen field formations’ capacity to confront evolving threats, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and other emerging tactics by adversaries.

A statement by the acting director army public relations, said the graduands completed six months of intensive training to enhance combat proficiency, resilience and adaptability. The School’s facilities include the Nigerian Army’s most difficult and complex obstacle course to date, comprising 20 obstacles, and its first-ever maze designed to help soldiers overcome fear of darkness and confined spaces while strengthening resilience and spatial orientation.

In his address, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the course was tailored to contemporary operational demands and lessons from ongoing operations, while the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical training undertaken by the graduands. The COAS commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.

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