Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammad Abubakar, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to providing modern military equipment, prioritising the welfare of personnel, and investing in training to boost operational effectiveness.
Mr. Abubakar made the comments during the opening ceremony of the first batch of Special Operations Force training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria at Camp Kabala in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The minister described the training programme as a “new chapter” in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities and enhance its response to evolving security threats. He emphasised the need for an elite force proficient in advanced tactics, unconventional warfare, intelligence operations, and rapid response missions.
“Our vision is to build a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of executing specialized operations in diverse and complex environments,” Mr. Abubakar said.
The Special Operations Force training is a strategic initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism, insurgency, transnational crime, and other threats. The minister said the force would be crucial in securing national sovereignty, protecting citizens, and maintaining peace and stability.
The training programme is designed to develop personnel in special combat tactics, counter-terrorism operations, intelligence gathering, and hostage rescue missions. Mr. Abubakar highlighted that trainees would be prepared for high-risk missions in urban and hostile environments, and the training would promote collaboration among personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies.
Recognising the mental resilience required for special operations, the training will also focus on testing and refining the physical and psychological endurance of the troops, with an emphasis on leadership under pressure, duty, discipline, and camaraderie.
Mr. Abubakar expressed confidence that upon completion of the intensive training, the force would be capable of conducting high-impact operations with precision and speed, enhancing Nigeria’s ability to neutralise threats and respond to security challenges proactively. He added that the newly trained force would be deployed to critical areas across the country.
The minister assured that the training was just the beginning, and personnel would continue to develop their skills and adapt to new threats.
The inauguration marks the start of training for the first batch of 800 personnel, out of a planned total of 2,400, as part of a long-term strategy to develop world-class special operations capabilities within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The programme is expected to be sustained and expanded to include personnel from all branches of the military.
Mr. Abubakar reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Special Operations Forces with modern weapons, surveillance systems, and intelligence tools. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration with allied nations and international defence institutions to adopt best practices.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda, highlighted the critical role of Special Operations Forces in modern military strategy, particularly in counter-terrorism and high-risk operations. He emphasised the importance of excellence, discipline, and adaptability in preparing forces to meet Nigeria’s security challenges.
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