The Nigeria Army has trained 149 troops to enhance counter-terrorism operation and address emerging national security threats.
Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), said this on Friday at the graduation of 149 soldiers of the Combat maneuver and Tactical Course 1/2026.
The three-month training exercise was conducted in partnership with the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Regiment Training Centre Annex, Special Operations Base, Bauchi.
Shaibu was represented by Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Wunuken Dangana, General Commanding Officer (GOC), 3 Division, Nigerian Army.
He said that the army authorities had prioritised capacity building to promote professionalism, discipline and battle readiness of the personnel.
Shaibu said that the exercise was aimed at improving professional competence and combat readiness of the troops to enable them to respond to volatile operational environments.
He assured that the army would continued to prioritise personnel development through trainings, provision of equipment and improved welfare programmes.
The army chief tasked soldiers to be disciplined, professional and combat ready at all times.
While commending the NAF Regiment Centre for successful completion of the training exercise, Waidi assured sustainable partnership with the service to address insecurity and protect national territorial integrity.
Maj.-Gen. VU Okoro, Chief of Training Army Headquarters, said that 149 graduates comprising five officers and 135 soldiers completed the training exercise.
He said that the graduation ceremony was the culmination of a rigorous training schedule designed to enhance the physical endurance, tactical proficiency, mental resilience and operational effectiveness of personnel for the demanding nature of contemporary military operations.
Okoro said that the army continued to operate in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) and evolving security environment that requires highly trained, adaptable and mission-oriented personnel.
According to Okoro, the Combat Manoeuvre and Tactical Course aims to equip the personnel with the requisite knowledge, skills and fighting spirit to confront emerging threats and effectively execute assigned missions.
“I am aware that the standard of the training provided a comprehensive training package that combined physical conditioning, tactical skills, weapons proficiency, combat care and operational planning in all aspects of warfare.
“The culmination of the training in Exercise FLUSH OUT provided an opportunity for the trainees to demonstrate their ability to integrate the acquired skills in planning and executing operations under realistic field conditions.
“This achievement reflects the determination, perseverance and willingness to endure the physical and mental demands of the training,” he said. (NAN)
