Military
Army moves to boost intelligence gathering via indigenous language
Army moves to boost intelligence gathering via indigenous language
In a bid to boost operational efficiency through intelligence gathering, the Nigerian Army has continued to train its personnel on indigenous language proficiency.
The reports gathered that a total of 124 personnel comprising 39 officers and 85 soldiers, graduated from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) 9th Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 9/2022 on Friday in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, represented by the Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. Usman Muhammed said the nature of the current security environment was characterised by a plethora of challenges requiring military attention.
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Yahaya said that all army operations were intelligence-driven, adding that their ability to surmount the security challenge would largely be dependent on intelligence gathering.
He said effective intelligence gathering could be facilitated by an understanding of the local languages of the personnel involved in the operations.
The COAS expressed optimism that the course would be of immense benefit to the participants and the Nigerian army considering the changing nature of the nation’s domestic security environment.
According to him, there is no gainsaying that the nation’s security environment is undermined by the current threats, which include among others things, terrorism banditry and other challenges in virtually all parts of the country.
He said the army would continue to redouble its efforts with a view to stemming the menace of insecurity and guaranteeing peaceful co-existence in all parts of the nation.
According to him, the current domestic security reality has necessitated the deployment of the Nigerian army troops to the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Suffice to say that all these operations are intelligence-driven.
“Therefore, our ability to adequately and professionally respond to these domestic security challenges will depend essentially on credible and reliable intelligence, which is dependent on the ability to communicate with the local population.
“The populace is being encouraged with the slogan, ‘see something, say something which depends on the ability of personnel to communicate with people within the operational area.
“Effective communication in part will essentially require some level of proficiency in the local dialect of the operating environment.
“This informs why you have learnt the three major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
“Proficiency in these local languages will, therefore, hasten your speedy integration and ability to penetrate local operating environments,” he said.
Yahaya urged the graduating officers to continue to use every available opportunity to improve their current proficiency level to be able to engage in sustained conversations within their places of employment.
The Director-General of NARC retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab said the course was designed to bridge the communication barriers between army personnel and the local populace in the conduct of internal security operations.
Wahab said that officers and soldiers were currently being deployed to different parts of the country, adding that there was the belief that there was a problem with intelligence gathering.
He said that security was a two-way thing which involved “securing you through you” and the need to trust those who are providing the security for them.
According to him, if you cannot talk to people, if you cannot relate with them in the language they understand, they won’t trust you.
“The belief is that speaking somebody’s language is going to inspire trust immediately, because of the belief that this is my person.
“And that’s the reason why the army challenged the centre to run this programme,” he said.
Wahab said the feedback from the previous courses had been encouraging, adding that plans were on the ground to open up the course to the general public.
The Training Officer, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Nuhu, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC), said the language course would help the army to address security challenges.
He urged personnel who would pass through the resource centre to continue to practice their proficiency in the languages they had been trained in to enable them to be perfect.
The Course Senior, Col. Muhammed Ahmad thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to learn and understand other languages to enhance their operational effectiveness.
Ahmad, who spoke on behalf of other participants pledged to justify the training by deploying the knowledge acquired in their various areas of responsibility.
Military
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Military in Operation HADIN KAI has recorded another significant success against terrorist elements in Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and destroying a gun truck during a precision air interdiction mission.
Military sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on June 4 following credible intelligence and aerial surveillance over the Madamari general area in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the sources, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, detected a group of about 15 terrorists who had dismounted from a gun truck and assembled under a tree within the target area.
Upon positive identification and confirmation of hostile activity, the platform designated the target and guided a strike aircraft onto the location.
“The strike aircraft executed a precise engagement on the terrorist gathering, resulting in the neutralisation of all the terrorists at the location,” the source said.
In a follow-up strike, the ISR platform tracked and designated the terrorists’ gun truck, which was subsequently destroyed by precision munitions. Four additional terrorists were neutralised in the process.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the operation revealed that surviving terrorists in the vicinity were seen fleeing in different directions in an attempt to evade further air strikes, indicating the effectiveness of the engagement.
The sources said that the successful operation is part of sustained air offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and denying them safe havens across the North-East theatre.
Military high command at Operation HADIN KAI reiterated their commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements and their logistics networks, in its ongoing clearance operations across the region.
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Military
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
By: Zagazola Makama
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. K.M. Gara, on Friday visited the boundary area between Nasarawa and Kaduna States to assess the security situation and strengthen operational coordination along the Akwanga–Kaduna highway corridor.
Security sources said the visit, which took place at about 12:42 p.m. on June 5, also included the Commander of the Garrison, Brig.-Gen. D.C. Nwakonobi, and the Nasarawa State Police Area Commander, DCP S. Alli.
According to the sources, the team inspected operational deployments and received briefings on the security situation and combat readiness of troops from the Sub-Sector 71 Commander under Operation Safe Haven.
The sources added that the visit was aimed at assessing the highway axis between Akwanga and the boundary between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, with a view to strengthening measures against persistent kidnapping incidents along the route.
They noted that the exercise also sought to enhance synergy between Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke in addressing insecurity in the general area.
“The visit was part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping along major highways and improve inter-agency coordination,” the sources said.
The sources further confirmed that the visit was conducted peacefully without any security incident.
They added that routine patrols were ongoing across the Joint Operations Area to protect schools, churches and other critical national infrastructure.
Troops’ morale and operational efficiency, the sources said, remained satisfactory across the theatre.
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday commenced the 2026 Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a call for enhanced adaptability, resilience and indigenous innovation to strengthen operational effectiveness.
The event, hosted by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), was held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo Local Government Area and brought together senior military officers, government officials and other stakeholders.
The theme of the training week is: “Strengthening Combat Support Arms Adaptability and Resilience Through Indigenous Innovation for Integrated Operational Support Within a Joint and Multi-agency Framework.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, participants underscored the importance of leveraging local innovation and inter-agency collaboration to address evolving security challenges and enhance operational support capabilities.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Capt. Iniobong Ekon (Rtd), attended the event alongside top military officials and invited guests.
Also present were the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. A.A. Adekeye; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.E. Emekah; and the Chief Host and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Maj.-Gen. R.E. Hedima.
Other attendees included corps commanders, senior serving and retired military officers, the Commander 2 Brigade/Sector 4 Operation Delta Safe, as well as representatives of various security agencies and organisations.
Activities conducted during the opening ceremony included professional lectures, static displays by combat support corps and the presentation of souvenirs.
The training week is expected to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development and the exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to provide effective combat support within joint and multi-agency operations.
The event was conducted without any security or logistical incidents.
Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo
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