The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, on Friday strengthened Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and internal security capabilities with the graduation of a fully fledged Special Forces battalion at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State.
According to a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja by the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Col Appolonia Anele, the new battalion would enhance the Army’s capacity to conduct specialised operations, penetrate difficult terrain, and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
Speaking at the ceremony, the COAS noted that the Army’s expansion from eight to 12 divisions required commensurate specialised capabilities to sustain operational readiness and extend security coverage across the country.
The statement added that the Army chief emphasised that the new battalion would strengthen field formations’ capacity to confront evolving threats, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and other emerging tactics by adversaries.
The graduands completed six months of intensive training to enhance their combat proficiency, resilience and adaptability, the statement said.
According to the statement, the school’s facilities include the Nigerian Army’s most difficult and complex obstacle course to date, comprising 20 obstacles, as well as its first-ever maze, designed to help soldiers overcome their fear of darkness and confined spaces while strengthening their resilience and spatial orientation.
Gen Shaibu charged the Special Forces personnel to uphold discipline, precision, sound judgement and respect for human rights, stressing that tactical success must not undermine public confidence.
He emphasised intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and joint cooperation with sister services and other security agencies as essential to achieving sustainable security outcomes.
The COAS commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the course was designed to meet contemporary operational demands and incorporate lessons from ongoing operations.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical training undertaken by the graduands.