A total of 39 cadets with Basic Airborne Training from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State, have been tasked on fight against terrorism and security challenges in the north.
At the graduation ceremony of the cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), a Commandant of the NDA, Major General Emeka Onwuamaegbu expressed satisfaction with the performance of the cadets.
The cadets were on six-weeks Basic Airborne Training Course 3/13.
They were graduated having completed five jumps from airborne platform, in preparation for their passing out from NDA next year.
Major General Onwuamaegbu explained that as a result of the security challenges in Nigeria, the NDA had to introduce courses like Counter Terrorism and counter Insurgency training in the curriculum of the institution.
The training, he said, included field exercises, peace support operations and airborne operation.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Major-General Tukur Buratai represented by the Acting Deputy Commandant, Colonel Sanni Audu, said 39 cadets had successfully completed the cadet Basic Airborne Course in jump school and attained the minimum five mandatory jumps from an airborne platform and were thus qualified to be decorated with the coveted Nigerian Army Paratroopers Wing.
He said the training at the jump school was designed to achieve vigorous physical conditioning to produce physically-fit and skilled elite troops, tailored towards mental alertness, discipline, self-confidence, bravery, team spirit and high sense of loyalty.
This set of cadets, have had the opportunity to be trained for six weeks to cover Special Forces operations.
A total of 55 volunteers of the 61st regular course NDA reported for the course on October 3, 2013. They all made the screening and commenced training on October 7, 2013.