The Nigerian Army has commenced its annual range classification shooting exercise for officers and soldiers in weapon handling and other military skills.
The Army says this is aimed at improving the proficiency and professional competence of its personnel and re-evaluating officers and soldiers on their mastery of weapons in line with the Nigerian army headquarters’ vision of maintaining a professional force.
The exercise which is planned to last for two months is taking place at the Nigerian Airforce Base shooting range, Mando Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
Briefing journalists on the importance of the exercise, the general officer commanding One Division, Nigerian army, Major General Abdul Wahab said the training would equip the officers and men as marksmen with the aim of reducing casualties among the civilian populace in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges.
Weapons such as AK47, FN, pistols and general purpose machine guns are to be used for the exercise which included static 200 meters, 100 meters firing at targets and movement exercise.
Although the Nigerian army is noted for its sterling records in peacekeeping and internal security operations, the force has also recorded cases of professional negligence from its personnel. It is against this backdrop that the army headquarters considered it appropriate to conduct yearly range classification shooting exercise for its personnel.
It is expected that the officers and men undergoing the training will come out better equipped to fight the current terrorism and insurgency in the country.
