Nigerian Army Graduates Elite Special Forces Battalion to Boost Counter-Terrorism Operations
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has graduated a full-fledged Special Forces battalion to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism and internal security capabilities amid evolving threats from terrorists and other criminal networks.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday, Oct. 9, during the graduation ceremony at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State.
Shaibu said the new battalion would enhance the Army’s capacity to conduct specialised operations, penetrate difficult terrain and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
He explained that the Army’s expansion from eight to 12 divisions required corresponding specialised capabilities to sustain operational readiness and extend security coverage across the country.
According to him, the emerging security environment, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other evolving tactics by adversaries, requires highly trained personnel capable of adapting to changing battlefield conditions.
The COAS said the newly graduated personnel had undergone six months of intensive training designed to improve their combat proficiency, resilience and adaptability in demanding operational environments.
He highlighted the specialised facilities at the school, including what was described as the Army’s most difficult and complex obstacle course to date, featuring 20 obstacles.
The school also has its first-ever maze, designed to help soldiers overcome fear of darkness and confined spaces while improving their resilience and spatial orientation.
Shaibu charged the Special Forces personnel to uphold discipline, precision, sound judgment and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties.
He stressed that operational success must not come at the expense of public confidence, adding that intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and cooperation with sister Services and other security agencies remained critical to achieving sustainable security outcomes.
The COAS also commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, said the training programme had been tailored to meet contemporary operational demands and incorporate lessons from ongoing military operations.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brig.-Gen. Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical training undertaken by the graduands to prepare them for complex missions.
The graduation marks another step in the Army’s efforts to build specialised capabilities in response to evolving security threats and strengthen the operational effectiveness of its field formations.
