How Army exposed 6,000 recruits to Sambisa terrain

In recent history, the last Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Depot Nigerian Army, which took place on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, produced the highest number of recruits commissioned into the Nigerian Army. Daily Trust on Sunday reports the sights and sounds of the event   The 76th Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) of the Depot […]

In recent history, the last Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Depot Nigerian Army, which took place on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, produced the highest number of recruits commissioned into the Nigerian Army. Daily Trust on Sunday reports the sights and sounds of the event

 

The 76th Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) of the Depot Nigerian did not disappoint the guests and spectators that turned up for the event. Recruits’ POP usually provides an entertainment avenue for residents and guests of the ancient city of Zaria. Like the previous ones, this year’s also met its billing.

As the recruits began marching in mastery fashion, the crunching sounds of their boots overwhelmed the venue. Their acrobatic and flamboyant display of military drills as they paraded around the spacious ground left the spectators with no option than to offer thunderous applauses. The recruits continued to entertain their guests with quick and slow march to the admiration of all present.

However, the venue became solemn as the recruits showcased their skill in handling weapons. It reminded the guests and spectators  of the supreme duty of members of the Armed Forces who are defending the country at all cost from internal or external aggression. The weapon handling skill of the recruits also revealed that the soldiers stand to pay the ultimate price for the sake of Nigeria. 

To ensure a hitch-free ceremony that would allow guests and spectators to freely and peacefully witness the entertaining parade, as early as 6am, soldiers who were armed to the teeth took over all the roads leading to the Chindict Cantonment. They did not only control traffic but the movement of persons in all the surrounding areas throughout the day.

As the Chief Reviewing Officer (CRO), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai said, as part of steps to bring the menace of Boko Haram to an end, the 6,000 recruits were exposed to a terrain similar to the one obtainable in the North-East.

This, he said, was to ensure their effectiveness when drafted to the area, adding that patriotism, discipline and selfless service are critical components for the success of the counter insurgency/terrorism operations.

Represented by the Chief of Army Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Ibrahim Mohammed Alkali, Buratai said the recruits were trained at the Falgore forest, a terrain similar to Sambisa and the North-East in general.

Buratai said: “The joint military training exercise conducted at Falgore forest with student officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) and Warrant Officers Academy (WOA) has further exposed the 76th RRI in new things. The joint training had exposed them to counterterrorism and insurgency operations and gave them the opportunity to operate in a terrain similar to the epic-centre of our CTCOIN operation in the North-East.”

He observed that the ceremony was coming at a time when Nigeria was confronted with a myriad of asymmetric security challenges.

Buratai said the rigorous training received by the recruits from the Depot Nigerian Army was meant to mould them to become vibrant soldiers that would actively defend the integrity of their fatherland.

He added: “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 towards 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 evidence in the robust fighting spirit exhibited by our troops in the North-East.”

Buratai observed that Depot Nigerian Army had remained pivotal in the production of lower cadre manpower for the Nigerian Army. He, therefore, urged them to keep the flag flying for the good of the nation. 

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the POP also featured presentation of awards to deserving recruits who distinguished themselves during training

While the about 6,000 recruits were celebrating their commissioning into the Nigerian Army, about 500 of their colleagues couldn’t survive the rigorous training as they were said to have “taken to their heels because they found that soldier work no be the same with eating akara.”