3,000 Nigerian Troops For Counter Terrorism Training

Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), achievement award for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, being presented to President Goodluck Jonathan by Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (2nd right), during Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday. With them are, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama,Minister of State for Health, Dr Ali Pate, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Precious Gbeneol.

The Nigerian Army in Abuja, yesterday, said the 3,000 regular recruits who passed out from the Depot of the Nigerian Army (NA) would be trained in counter terrorism and counter insurgency.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru,  made this known during the monthly press briefing to inform the media about recent happenings in the army.

Attahiru said that the recruits passed out on June 14, this year.

According to him, the training is in pursuance of the Chief of Army Staff’s vision to transform the NA into a force better able to meet contemporary challenges.

“The soldiers training, which is expected to last for six weeks, will cover aspects of house breaking and clearing, and urban patrol.’’

Other aspects of the training would also include unarmed combat, skill at arms and international humanitarian laws:, he said.

The director said the Nigerian Army had reviewed its recruitment procedure to include pre-screening examination for soldiers in line with global best practise and transparency.

He noted that in that regard, the Army Headquarters (AHQ) had procured new marking machines to enhance the recruitment exercise.

Attahiru said the machines would be put to use nationwide for the first time during the 70 regular recruitment intake examination tomorrow.

“All candidates who applied are advised to report to the examination centres in the states, including the FCT.

“The pre-screening exercise is aimed at selecting the best personnel for the NA and thereby enhancing its manpower level and efficiency.

“After the examination, the first 500 candidates who passed will be selected from each state of the federation, including the FCT for final zonal screening from July 22 at two centres in each geo-political zone, he said.

The director said that, thereafter, the final list of successful candidates would be published on the NA Recruitment Website www.narecruitment.org.

Meanwhile, Attahiru had said that the attention of the AHQ had been drawn to an impostor who claimed to be Retired Maj. Yahaya Shinko.

According to him, the man has been parading himself as a retired major and security expert in some international media organisations.

He added that the said Shinko had been discussing the ongoing State of Emergency and the military operations in the North Eastern part of the country with some selected international media.

Please be informed that the officer was reduced to Second Lieutenant on disciplinary grounds for Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).

“He was subsequently retired from service in 1999, for service no longer required.

Judging from the circumstances under which the officer left the service, no in-depth analysis and sound judgment on any military operations could come out from such an inexperienced officer.

Consequently, the Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public to disregard his views and what he stands for and report such an impersonator to any nearby military unit nationwide, he explained

He noted that available records in the army indicated that the supposed impersonator was retired as a Second Lieutenant from the Army and not a Major as he fraudulently claimed.

The spokesman said that the ban on use and sale of the NA stickers/banners/military accoutrements was still enforced, adding that the public was therefore advised to be aware of that development.