Kachia, Kaduna State: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has tasked 1,126 newly graduated Special Forces — referred to as “Warriors” — to decisively scale up the aggressive pursuit of terrorists.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Kachia, Shaibu emphasised that the deployment of these elite troops marks a renewed push to dismantle terrorist networks and restore peace across affected regions. He urged the warriors to demonstrate courage, discipline, and resilience as they join ongoing operations nationwide.
He also charged them with dealing with the insurgents and other criminal elements threatening national security, while upholding ethical soldiering, discipline, and respect for human rights.
Shaibu spoke at the graduation ceremony of Advanced Infantry Training, Exercise RESTORE HOPE IX, at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia, Kaduna State.
He also urged the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to sustain professionalism, discipline and combat-readiness in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
He called the exercise a flagship post-basic programme that builds combat skills and prepares personnel for modern warfare.
The COAS said that the training was physically demanding, mentally taxing, and professionally challenging, adding that rigorous training was indispensable to success on the battlefield.
He commended the participants for successfully completing the exercise and noted that graduates of previous editions had acquitted themselves creditably across various theatres of operation.
According to him, this validated the value and calibre of training under Exercise Restore Hope, and he expressed high expectations for the graduating troops as they deploy.
He noted some participants deployed early due to urgent needs, but all will operate as a cohesive, professional force.
Shaibu reiterated that training remained the cornerstone of his command philosophy.
He said it aims to transform the Nigerian Army into a more professional and adaptable force, ready for joint operations.
He stated his leadership is committed to pioneering innovative training regimes and reinforcing established ones to strengthen manpower and operational capability.
The COAS expressed confidence that the exercise would significantly enhance the combat effectiveness, lethality, and proficiency of Nigerian Army troops.
Shaibu urged the troops to show empathy to citizens while remaining firm against threats.
He pledged steadfast leadership and ongoing support to the officers and soldiers, and instructed commanders at every level to lead, support, and care for their troops.
The COAS commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support of the Nigerian Army.
He praised the Chief of Training, the Commandant of the Artillery School, instructors, and staff for the exercise’s success.
Shaibu urged graduates to use their new skills and values in their duties.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen.Valentine Okoro described Exercise Restore Hope as a critical platform for building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force for the Nigerian Army.
He said the exercise began as an orientation for new soldiers, but is now a model programme for army dominance.
He explained that the exercise started under the current COAS when he was Deputy Chief of Training, and is now in its ninth series.
He said, “The sustainability of Exercise Restore Hope over the years reflects the professionalism, competence and resilience of the Nigerian soldier, especially as our instructors have effectively sustained the programme after the exit of foreign mentors.”
Okoro said graduates have proved the training’s vision in operations, leading to the expansion from one to two battalions.
He added that the objectives of the exercise aligned perfectly with the COAS’s command philosophy, stressing that the programme had become one of the Army’s most important avenues for generating a combat-ready force.
The chief of training said graduates trained intensively in marksmanship, fitness, combat medic skills, direct action, and SERE.
“The soldiers have been trained to operate under strenuous and austere conditions.
They are skilled with weapons, day or night, and can fight effectively as a team.
Okoro affirmed that the training achieved its objectives and transformed every graduating soldier into a highly resilient and effective combatant.
He disclosed the COAS-approved future batches and a reward system to motivate top graduates.
The COAS promoted and decorated six instructors of Exercise Restore Hope.
