The Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to modernising the Nigerian military, with a particular focus on equipping forces with cutting-edge technology, improving personnel welfare, and enhancing training for greater operational efficiency.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the First Batch of Special Operations Force Training and Equipping for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, held at Camp Kabala in Jaji, Kaduna State, Minister Abubakar underscored the strategic importance of the initiative.
He said, “This milestone marks a new chapter in our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities, enhancing our response to evolving security threats, and ensuring that our forces remain among the best-trained and most resilient in the world.”
Abubakar outlined the necessity of developing an elite force that would not only be well-equipped but also proficient in advanced combat tactics, unconventional warfare, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid-response missions.
He stressed, “Our vision is to build a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of executing specialised operations in diverse and complex environments.”
The Special Operations Force Training is a critical initiative aimed at bolstering the nation’s ability to combat terrorism, insurgency, transnational crime, and other asymmetric threats.
It is designed to provide a robust response to national security challenges and will play an essential role in protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, citizens, and maintaining peace both within and outside the country’s borders.
Abubakar also highlighted the diverse areas of training that the recruits will undergo, including special combat tactics, counterterrorism operations, intelligence gathering, and hostage rescue missions.
“Trainees will be prepared for high-risk operations in urban and hostile environments, ensuring that they remain adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of security threats,” he explained.
The programme will also foster inter-agency collaboration, with personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies working together to address modern security challenges.
Recognising that Special Operations require not only technical expertise but also mental resilience, the Defence Minister noted that the training programme will rigorously test the physical and psychological endurance of all participants.
“Emphasis will be placed on leadership under pressure, fostering duty, discipline, and camaraderie among participants,” he added.
Upon completion of the training, Minister Abubakar anticipates that the Special Operations Force will be capable of conducting high-impact operations with precision and speed.
This enhanced force will be deployed to critical areas across the country, reinforcing Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The inaugural batch consists of 800 trainees, with a total of 2,400 expected to be trained as part of this comprehensive long-term strategy.
The training programme will be expanded over time to include personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Abubakar reiterated that this is just the beginning, with continued skill development and adaptability being a key focus for the forces moving forward.
The Minister also confirmed that, as part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is committed to providing the Special Operations Force with the latest modern weapons, surveillance systems, and intelligence tools to further improve their operational effectiveness.
This initiative is set to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to developing a world-class military, capable of meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing global security environment.
