By Kingsley Chukwuka
The Nigeria Army has commenced combat competition aimed at boosting the proficiency of personnel to better checkmate the growing insecurity in the country.
The long week competition will serve as double edged, first, to test personnel fitness, and secondly to keep them mentally ready to fight the growing insurgency and banditry, the military say.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, at the 3Division Small Arms Range and Physical Training Ground, Miango in Bassa Local Government Area, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali, reiterate the military commitment in training and retraining its personnel.
Ali said the vision of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya is to ensure that training is a cardinal pillar which will keep the Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defense of Nigeria.
According to him: “Nigeria is currently bedeviled by myriads of security challenges. The challenges include insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, militancy and armed robbery amongst others.
“In order to address these challenges, the armed forces have continued to upscale training and military exercises. The conduct of this Combat Proficiency competition is one such area of training.
“Combat Proficiency competition is organised to enhance the training of young officers of the ranks of 2Lts to Capts in performing our constitutional roles.
“The competition is aimed at sharpening the skills and competencies of subalterns within 3 Division AOR in line with AHQ Training Directive for the Year 2022.
“Additionally, the competition is organised to develop the spirit of competition, cooperation and teamwork needed in the accomplishment of missions and tasks” Ali said.
He urged all the participants to engage in healthy competition during the week-long training exercise.
“I call on you to follow all the rules, regulations and guidelines stipulated in the conduct of the competition as reflected in the administrative instructions earlier forwarded to your formations and units.
“I want to remind all participants that this competition is another avenue of our training programme to enhance your competencies and professional performance in the field”, Gen. Ali said.