The Nigerian Army has trained a total number of 51 officer cadets on counter terrorism ahead of their graduation from the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
This is part of efforts by the Federal Government to curb the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.
Addressing the Army Cadets of 61 Regular Course at the end of their training from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji on Saturday, the Commandant of the NDA and Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Major-General Mohammed Idris, said that the present security challenges facing the country called for effective training of young officers in the art of counter terrorism. “This has prompted the Academy to expose graduating Army cadets to various aspects of counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations both within and outside the country,” General Idris said.
He added that the NDA was prepared to support the Federal Government in fighting terrorists and other subversive elements to a standstill through effective training of the cadets.
On his part, the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Major-General Tukur Buratai, said that the cadets were subjected to rigorous physical fitness training to develop their endurance level, and also received different lectures on the mode of operation of terrorists, as well as techniques to countering terrorism.
The Nigerian Army School of Infantry has been a major facilitator and force multiplier in the fight against terrorism in the country through effective training of Army personnel, as well as personnel of sister security services and the Nigeria Police.
Some of the training packages include raid on enemy camps, escort of VIPs, search techniques at road blocks and check points, rescue missions and identification and awareness of improvised explosive devices among others.
The sole aim of these unscheduled courses, according to the Army authorities, is to equip the troops with tactics and techniques of countering terrorism that has become a threat to the nation’s security.
Cadet Officers from the Nigerian Defence Academy over the years concentrated more on academic activities, with little physical trainings, but the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country, necessitated the introduction of counter terrorism and insurgency courses in the curriculum of the institution, in order to expose them to modern ways of handling the challenge.