Army Graduates Elite Special Forces Battalion to Tackle Terrorism, Drone Threats
The Nigerian Army has graduated a full-fledged Special Forces battalion to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and improve the military’s capacity to tackle evolving security threats across the country.
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, on Friday, October 9, 2026.
According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the newly graduated battalion is expected to enhance the Army’s ability to conduct specialised operations, navigate difficult terrain and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
Shaibu said the Army’s expansion from eight to 12 divisions required a corresponding increase in specialised capabilities to sustain operational readiness and extend security coverage nationwide.
He noted that the new battalion would strengthen field formations’ capacity to respond to emerging threats, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other evolving tactics employed by terrorist groups and criminal networks.
The soldiers underwent six months of intensive training designed to improve their combat proficiency, physical endurance, resilience and adaptability in demanding operational environments.
Read Also:
The training programme featured advanced facilities at the school, including what the Army described as its most difficult and complex obstacle course, comprising 20 obstacles.
The school also introduced its first-ever maze, designed to help soldiers overcome the fear of darkness and confined spaces while developing resilience and spatial orientation.
Addressing the graduands, the COAS charged them to uphold discipline, precision and sound judgment in the discharge of their duties, while respecting human rights and maintaining public confidence in military operations.
He stressed the importance of intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and cooperation with sister Services and other security agencies, noting that these were essential to achieving sustainable security outcomes.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the training was designed to meet contemporary operational demands and incorporate lessons from ongoing military operations.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical exercises undertaken by the soldiers to prepare them for complex missions.
Shaibu commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.
The graduation comes amid the Army’s efforts to strengthen specialised capabilities in response to evolving security challenges, with the new battalion expected to support field formations in conducting complex operations against terrorism and other security threats.
By PRNigeria
