Army graduates 1,182 special forces on advanced infantry training

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Nigerian Army on Friday graduated 1,182 troops from the 10th batch of its Advanced Infantry Training Programme in Kachia, Kaduna State.

The troops graduated under Exercise Restore Hope X at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATC), Kachia.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said the training was aimed at improving the troops’ combat proficiency and preparing them for contemporary military operations.

He said the Advanced Infantry Training Programme had become a key component of the Nigerian Army’s post-basic training framework.

According to him, the programme was designed to instil warrior ethos, sharpen combat skills and prepare soldiers to confront emerging security threats.

The COAS said the graduation came at a time the Nigerian Army was undergoing force expansion and capability enhancement.

He said the restructuring of the Army, recently approved by President Bola Tinubu, had resulted in the establishment of additional divisions, formations and units.

Shaibu said many of the graduates would form the nucleus of the newly established formations and units.

He charged them to justify the resources invested in their training through professionalism, sound judgment and commitment to assigned missions.

The COAS urged the troops to remain adaptable and innovative in confronting increasingly sophisticated adversaries.

He said the training was consistent with his command’s philosophy of developing a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.

Earlier, Chief of Training (Army), Maj.General Valentine Okoro, said the graduation marked the successful completion of another cycle of the Army’s post-basic training programme.

Okoro said the six-month exercise was designed to equip the troops with skills and knowledge required to operate effectively in contemporary military environments.

He said the training, initially conducted by foreign partners, was later taken over by indigenous instructors who had continued to improve its scope and efficiency.