Army Chief, Lt. Gen. W Shaibu during the graduation Ceremony of Exercise Restore Hope 10 held at Kachia, Kaduna on Friday
The Nigerian Army on Friday graduated 1,178 Special Forces troops from the 10th batch of its Advanced Infantry Training Programme, charging them to uphold human rights and the rule of law while confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
The six-month training, conducted under Exercise Restore Hope X at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia, Kaduna State, is aimed at strengthening the Army’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said the programme had become a cornerstone of the Nigerian Army’s post-basic training, designed to produce a professional, combat-ready and resilient force capable of addressing evolving security challenges.
Shaibu said, “The programme is designed to instil the warrior ethos, sharpen combat skills and prepare our soldiers to confront emerging security threats.”
He noted that the graduation coincided with the Army’s ongoing force expansion and capability enhancement following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of additional divisions, formations and units.
According to him, many of the graduating troops will serve as the foundation of the newly created formations.
Shaibu urged the soldiers to justify the investment made in their training by demonstrating professionalism, sound judgment and dedication in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “Our adversaries continue to evolve in tactics and sophistication. You must remain adaptable, innovative, physically fit, mentally alert and technologically proficient to defeat them.”
The Army chief identified terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist agitations and transnational organised crime as major threats confronting Nigeria.
He further reminded the troops to respect the rule of law, protect the rights of civilians and strictly observe the rules of engagement during operations.
Shaibu added, “I charge you to remain morally upright and conduct yourselves in a manner that reflects the values of the Nigerian Army.”
He also assured the personnel of the Army’s continued support and urged newly selected instructors to discharge their responsibilities with commitment and professionalism.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, described the graduation as another milestone in the Nigerian Army’s efforts to build a highly skilled and combat-effective force.
He explained that the six-month programme equipped participants with advanced tactical skills required for modern military operations.
According to Okoro, although the training was initially conducted with the support of foreign partners, indigenous instructors have since taken full ownership of the programme while continuously improving its quality and effectiveness.
He disclosed that previous graduates had made significant contributions in various theatres of operation across the country.
The trainees, he said, underwent intensive instruction in tactical operations, marksmanship, weapon handling, field craft, endurance, combat medicine, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.
Okoro said, “The improvements recorded in their physical fitness, tactical competence, confidence and decision-making ability demonstrate the effectiveness of the training.”
He added that Exercise Restore Hope had become the Nigerian Army’s flagship counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training model and had since been adopted across training depots and tactical training centres nationwide.
Okoro further revealed that the Chief of Army Staff had approved the award of Basic Infantry Course certificates and trade certifications to the graduates.
He said lessons learnt from the latest exercise would be used to further strengthen the curriculum for future editions.
The ceremony climaxed with practical demonstrations of combat skills acquired by the graduating Special Forces troops during the six-month exercise.
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