THE Nigerian Army has graduated 2,094 soldiers trained in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency skills, even as it prepares a "Reserve Force" for emergency situations.
The BCTC course 9/13 held at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora, Niger State, graduated 225 females and 1869 men to tackle "contemporary security challenges and engage any terrorist or such insurgents as the need arises."
The Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, advised the graduates to adhere strictly to rules of engagement and "utilise all combat proficiency skills they have acquired during the few weeks of intensive training to exhibit high sense of professionalism in the conduct of assigned duties."
The Commander of NATRAC, Major General Stephen Audu, said within the six weeks of training, every facility requisite for the exercise and convenience was mobilised to ensure a hitch-free programme.
He reminded them that as combat proficient soldiers, they would be actively engaged in internal security duties.
Audu said the combat competences and leadership skills passed to the graduating soldiers is deliberate, to "task them to the limit of their endurance, improve their knowledge of skill at arms, sharpen their combat techniques and impart siege mentality and confidence in handling threat situations as well as physical fitness."
Lieutenant General Ihejirika also commissioned refurbished vehicles at Artillery Headquarters in Kontagora. He charged the personnel to be resilient and committed to the service of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Director of Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN), Brigadier General T. Golau, said: "The main objective of the course was to give the young soldiers the requisite skill and knowledge to combat the current wave of contemporary security challenges in Nigeria."
Golau assured that "the graduands will perform well in the field when deployed for special operation "having been well trained in "house breaking and clearing, urban patrol, unarmed combat, skills at arms and drills, IED recognition and disposal and the dynamics of terrorism and insurgency as they relate to Boko Haram, among others."
The Guardian