Training critical in enhancing troops’ operational efficiency —COAS

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Chief of Army Staff,(COAS), Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya on Thursday said he would continue to prioritise training to enhance the operational effectiveness of troops.

Yahaya gave the assurance at the graduation of troops of Exercise Restore Hope IV held at Nigerian Army Base Camp Kachia, Kaduna State.

The COAS described training as the foundation for success in combat and all military operations.

He disclosed that preparations are almost completed to commence Exercise Restore Hope V with the bulk of participating troops coming from young soldiers that recently passed out from Depot.

Yahaya said Exercise Restore Hope training packages have proved to be effective and its impact on troops has been commendable and successes re-assuring.

He pointed out that Exercise Restore Hope series provide the platform for the army to adequately prepare soldiers for operations in the ever-changing security environment.

The COAS said it has so far proved to be of immense benefits and impact.

The Army Chief charged the troops to effectively apply the skills acquired in the planning and conduct of operations wherever they may be deployed.

Yahaya expressed satisfaction with the quality of training and discipline instilled in the specially trained forces.

He assured that the army would confront headlong all territorial threat and security challenges confronting the nation.

He warned terrorist and other criminal elements to surrender or face the consequences of their irresponsible actions.

The COAS pledged to provide the enabling environment, facilities, training aids and logistics towards conducting the training at all levels.

He said the four months training was designed to meet peculiar and complex security needs and challenges of the country, in tune modern ways of waging asymmetric warfare.

He disclosed that the three previous trainings of men of Operation Restore Hope were done by the nation’s foreign partners, adding that the fourth which graduated 637 troops was conducted by instructors of the Nigerian army.

Yahaya appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his strategic guidance, untiring support and encouragement to the Nigerian army.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) report that highpoint of the event were demonstrations by the troops depicting their combat readiness.

(NAN)