The Nigerian Army’s soldiers have been ordered by Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to use their newly acquired fighting skills to eliminate non-state actors interfering with the nation’s peace. At the Nigerian Army Training Camp Kachia in Kaduna state on Thursday, November 17, during the Final Exercise and Graduation ceremony for Trainees of Exercise Restore Hope III, the COAS made this statement.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations
disclosed this in a press statement released to journalists in Abuja on 17 November 2022.
With the performance of the final exercise seen today, General Yahaya expressed confidence that their deployment in support of ongoing operations will change the game and turn the tide against the nation’s adversaries. He also added that the security issues plaguing the nation necessitate the use of lethal force.
Gen. Yahaya, who expressed satisfaction with the results obtained from Ex Restore Hope I and II troops, gave the graduating personnel the responsibility to effectively use the skills and competencies acquired to deal with the various security challenges the country is currently facing. He also added that a peaceful and secure environment must be established in order to successfully conduct the 2023 elections. But he cautioned the soldiers to maintain their neutrality and carry out their operational duties without engaging in politics. The Army Chief did not think twice to emphasize that any servicemen who break the law will not be spared.
A total of 647 soldiers, 13 officers, 134 senior non-commissioned officers, and 582 regular recruit intakes from Nigerian Army formations, units, and command participated in the training, which ran from 18 July 2022 to 17 November 2022. The training’s goal is to create a lethal fighting force with high intensity in advance training of troops ready to be deployed in any theater of operation.
The newly renovated Soldiers’ Club and Student Officers Accommodation at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, located in Kachia, were then officially opened by the Chief of Army Staff.
The long-range shooting at 300 meters, the sniper shooting at 500 meters, the shooting after exerting physical effort while synchronizing with effects, the small team tactical movement to free captives, and the exhibition of Krav Maga unarmed combat were the event’s highlights.
