The Nigerian Army has strengthened its counter-terrorism and internal security capabilities with the graduation of a new Special Forces battalion trained to tackle evolving security threats and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, presided over the graduation ceremony at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Doma, Nasarawa State, Northern, Nigeria.
In a statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said Shaibu explained that the expansion of the Army’s divisions from eight to 12 required additional specialised capabilities to improve operational readiness and security coverage.
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He said the new battalion would strengthen the military’s response to emerging threats, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and other evolving tactics by terrorists and criminal groups.
The graduands completed six months of intensive training to improve their combat skills, resilience and adaptability. Training facilities included a 20-obstacle course and the school’s first maze, designed to prepare soldiers for challenging environments and strengthen their ability to operate in darkness and confined spaces.
Shaibu charged the personnel to uphold discipline, precision, sound judgment and respect for human rights, stressing that operational success must not undermine public confidence.
He also emphasised intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and cooperation with other military services and security agencies as essential to achieving lasting security.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the course was designed to address current operational demands and lessons from ongoing military operations.
The school’s Commandant, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical training completed by the soldiers, while Shaibu commended the instructors and training partners for their role in developing a mission-ready force.
