The Nigerian Army has graduated a full-fledged Special Forces battalion to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and improve the military’s capacity to tackle emerging security threats across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday during the graduation ceremony at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State.
The new battalion is expected to enhance the army’s capacity to conduct specialised operations, penetrate difficult terrain and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
Shaibu said the establishment of the battalion was part of efforts to strengthen the military’s operational capabilities following the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions.
He stressed the need to develop specialised forces capable of responding to evolving threats, including the deployment of drones, improvised explosive devices and other emerging tactics by adversaries.
The army chief noted that the expansion of military formations must be accompanied by improved combat capabilities and operational readiness to ensure effective security coverage across the country.
The graduands completed six months of intensive training designed to improve their combat proficiency, resilience and adaptability in challenging operational environments.
The Nigerian Army Special Forces School also features a 20-obstacle course described as the army’s most difficult and complex to date, as well as its first-ever maze designed to help soldiers overcome the fear of darkness and confined spaces while improving their resilience and spatial orientation.
Addressing the graduating personnel, Shaibu charged them to uphold discipline, precision and sound judgment in carrying out their duties.
He also stressed the importance of respecting human rights, warning that operational successes must not come at the expense of public confidence in the military.
The COAS further identified intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and collaboration with sister Services and other security agencies as critical to achieving lasting security outcomes.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the training programme was designed to reflect contemporary operational demands and lessons drawn from ongoing military operations.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical exercises undertaken by the graduands to prepare them for demanding missions.
Shaibu commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.
