The Federal Government has begun training 800 soldiers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force as part of a Special Operations Forces program aimed at strengthening national security.
The training is designed to enhance Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism, insurgency, cyber threats, and other security challenges.
Speaking at the launch of the training at Camp Kabala, within the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar emphasized the need for a highly skilled and adaptable military force.
“This Special Operations Force Training is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing our operational effectiveness in combating terrorism, insurgency, transnational crimes, and other asymmetric threats that bedevil our great nation,” he said.
“This Special Operations Force will serve as a critical pillar in securing our national sovereignty, protecting citizens, and maintaining peace and stability within and beyond our borders.”
The minister explained that the program focuses on developing advanced combat skills, intelligence gathering, and counterterrorism tactics.
“The programme will prepare trainees for high-risk missions in both urban and hostile environments, ensuring they can adapt to dynamic threats. Given the inter-agency nature of modern security challenges, the training will foster seamless collaboration among personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Air Force, as well as other security agencies.”
He added that beyond technical skills, the training would test the soldiers’ mental toughness, endurance, and leadership abilities under pressure.
“At the end of this rigorous training program, we expect to have a force capable of conducting high-impact operations with precision, speed, and efficiency. This would be a significant improvement in our ability to neutralize threats and respond proactively to security challenges.”
The minister revealed that this batch of 800 soldiers is the first of 2,400 personnel to be trained as part of a long-term plan to develop a world-class special operations unit.
He assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to equipping the Special Operations Forces with modern weapons, surveillance systems, and intelligence tools to boost their effectiveness.
Chief of Army Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the training as a crucial step in improving national security, while Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani praised the initiative as proof of the government’s commitment to combating emerging threats.
The Kaduna state governor was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.