The Nigerian Army and Air Force have trained a fresh set of Special Forces on Counter-Terrorism and counter insurgency operations for onward deployment to the troubled parts of North-East Nigeria.

Addressing the graduating students at their combined passing out ceremony on Thursday, the commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, Kaduna, Major-General Tukur Buratai said that the new trends of terrorism in the North-East as well as the challenges presented by ethnic, religious inspired violence and political unrest, necessitated the continuous training of military personnel on counter-terrorism and counter insurgency operations.

As the nation grasps with the challenges of insecurity posed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part and militancy in the Niger Delta region, he urged them to put into effective use, the knowledge they have acquired upon their deployment.

The school’s Chief Instructor, Colonel Adebola Adefarati in his address, said that the graduating students underwent training in special warfare course and counter-terrorism course which lasted between 16 and 15 weeks, and were exposed to academic and field exercises such as tactical combat shooting, unarmed combat and water exercises.

It is the first time that the Nigerian Army School of Infantry will be conducting a joint training of Army and Navy personnel in such counter terrorism training. The reason, according to army authorities, is to enable them acquire all aspects of training packages and tactics in line with emerging security challenges.

As these crop of officers join the ranks of the Special Forces in the country’s Armed Forces, it is hoped that they will assist their colleagues already posted in the North East and other troubled areas towards eliminating terrorism and similar criminal elements in the country.