The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army had introduced a joint military training exercise toward effective counter terrorism operations.
Buratai disclosed this while speaking as the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade of the 76 Regular Recruits Intake of the Depot Nigerian Army held in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The chief of army staff, who was represented by the Chief of Army Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Ibrahim Mohammed-Alkali, said the exercise was geared toward improved general security in the country.
Buratai said: “The joint military training exercise conducted at Falgore forest with student officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Warrant Officers Academy has further exposed the 76 RRI to new things.
“The joint training had exposed them to counter terrorist and counter insurgency operations and gave them the opportunity to operate in terrain similar to the epi-centre of our CTCOIN operation in the North-East.”
He advised the graduating recruits to embrace selfless service, patriotism, discipline, commitment, dedication and high sense of discipline to pave way for national cohesion.
The Army boss also charged them to strive hard to continue to be symbols of pride to their families, good ambassadors of the Depot, the Nigerian Army and the nation.
He said the rigorous training received from the Depot Nigerian Army was meant to mold them to become vibrant soldiers that would actively defend the integrity of their fatherland.
He said: “In this regard, it is gratifying to observe that Depot NA has continued to evolve its training activities in line with my vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“It has always been my humble submission that realistic training is the best means of preparing NA personnel toward achieving its role as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I, hereby, state unequivocally that Depot NA has improved on every aspect of realistic result-oriented training.
“The improved standard across the entire corps and formations in the Nigerian Army is yielding positive results as evident in the robust fighting spirit exhibited by our troops in the North-East.”
Buratai said that Depot Nigerian Army had remained pivotal in the production of lower cadre manpower for the Nigerian Army.
He, therefore, lauded the efforts of the lower cadre manpower producers for providing adequate professional training to the young soldiers and structural development.
He also urged them to keep the flag flying for the good of the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the passing out parade featured over 6,000 recruits who had successfully completed the training exercise.
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