The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has commissioned the Tactical Training Ground and Obstacle Course of the FCT Command, charging the personnel to embrace continuous training and intelligence-driven operations in tackling insecurity challenges.

The facility is meant to ensure officers undergo obstacle crossing, endurance drills, tactical movement, rescue simulations, disaster response exercises, search-and-rescue operations, combat fitness, leadership development and other specialised training programmes.

The project is an initiative of the FCT Command of the Corps, led by Commandant Olusola Odumosu.

Speaking Thursday during the commissioning ceremony, held at the NSCDC FCT Command Headquarters, Prof. Audi described the facility as a strategic investment in the future of the Corps, saying it would strengthen professionalism, operational effectiveness and preparedness for contemporary security threats.

According to him, the commissioning of the training ground represented more than the unveiling of a physical structure; it demonstrated the Corps’ commitment to building a professionally competent, intelligence-driven and operationally effective security organisation.

He noted that Nigeria’s security landscape continued to evolve, with threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, vandalism of critical national assets, illegal mining, cybercrime, oil theft and communal conflicts, stressing that only well-trained personnel could effectively respond to such challenges.

“Our personnel are the most critical assets of the organisation. Their knowledge, skills and experience remain indispensable in modern security operations.

“Training and retraining are not optional but strategic operational performance indicators that determine the productivity and effectiveness of our personnel,” he said.

“Every exercise undertaken here is ultimately aimed at protecting the lives, property and freedom of Nigerians. A well-trained officer is a confident officer, and a confident officer provides better service to the nation,” he added.

Audi also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing asymmetric security threats, noting that no single security agency possessed all the capabilities required to tackle modern security challenges.

He identified collaboration, cooperation and coordination among security agencies as the three critical pillars of effective national security.

The NSCDC CG commended the FCT Commandant for initiating the project, describing the facility as one of the best of its kind outside the Corps’ training institutions.

He announced that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had directed the commencement of the process to upgrade the facility into a standard training centre capable of serving broader operational needs.

In his opening remarks, the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said the tactical training ground was conceived to better prepare officers and men for the increasingly complex security environment within the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.

He described the facility as a strategic investment in professionalism, operational readiness and capacity building, noting that every officer trained there would become stronger, more disciplined and better equipped to safeguard lives and property.

“This Tactical Training Ground is an investment in professionalism, preparedness and operational excellence.

He expressed appreciation to the Commandant General for approving and supporting the project, describing his administration as one that had prioritised training, staff welfare, intelligence-driven operations and infrastructure development across the Corps.

The FCT Commandant also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for supporting security agencies and creating an enabling environment for improved security collaboration within Abuja.

Also speaking, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, commended the FCT Commandant for establishing the obstacle course to enhance the training and retraining of officers.

He described the project as a landmark achievement that reflected visionary leadership and a commitment to personnel development.

He reiterated that sustained synergy among security agencies remained central to improving the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.