Nigerian Army Deploys Trained Troops to New Divisions, Formations
The Nigerian Army is expanding its force structure and strengthening combat capability as newly trained soldiers prepare to serve in additional divisions, formations and units established to improve operational response to Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday, during the graduation ceremony of the Advanced Infantry Training Programme, code-named Exercise RESTORE HOPE X, at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATC), Kachia, Kaduna State.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu said the graduating soldiers would form the nucleus of some of the newly established formations and were expected to translate their training into improved operational effectiveness.
The COAS said the expansion followed the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the restructuring of the Nigerian Army, with additional divisions, formations and units established to optimise force disposition and enhance the Service’s responsiveness to emerging security challenges.
Shaibu charged the graduands to uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence as they assume responsibilities in their new formations.
He described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as the flagship of the Nigerian Army’s post-basic infantry training framework, designed to sharpen combat proficiency, strengthen the warrior ethos and prepare soldiers for the complexities of contemporary military operations.
The Army Chief urged the soldiers to justify the investment in their training by demonstrating sound judgment, commitment to mission accomplishment and strict adherence to the rules of engagement.
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He also tasked them to remain physically fit, mentally agile and technologically proficient while adapting to emerging threats and embracing innovation.
Shaibu stressed the importance of discipline, respect for the rule of law and protection of human rights in the discharge of their duties.
The COAS expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support for the Nigerian Army’s operational, training and administrative requirements, describing the Federal Government’s continued investment as critical to the Service’s transformation and force expansion.
He said sustained investment in realistic, mission-oriented training remained essential to developing a highly skilled fighting force capable of achieving decisive operational success across the various theatres of operation.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s training architecture.
Okoro said the programme had consistently produced motivated and combat-ready soldiers who had distinguished themselves across various operational theatres.
He explained that the training exposed participants to realistic operational scenarios, tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.
According to him, the programme also enhanced the soldiers’ confidence, decision-making abilities and battlefield competence while strengthening institutional capacity through standardised post-basic infantry training and improved instructional methodologies.
The Nigerian Army said the training and ongoing force expansion are aimed at improving its operational readiness and capacity to respond effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges.
By PRNigeria
