COS, Gen. Minimah
Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The United States Marine Corps Africa have completed the training of 100 Nigerian Soldiers on warfare at the Amphibious Training School (ATS) in Calabar.
The Soldiers were trained on fire team formation, use of micro terrain, preparation for combat, mission planning, shooting position, casualty evacuation, among others.
Our correspondent reports that the training which began April 17, 2014 was rounded off on May 9, 2014.
Speaking at the grand finale, Brig. Gen. Enang Ukagu, Commander of ATS, said the objective of the training was to equip personnel of ATS with basic concept of amphibious and riverine operations.
Ukagu said that the mission of the training was to provide high level military intelligence and knowledge of combating sea piracy and other forms of illegalities around the riverine areas.
He said: “The objective of this training has been achieved and the soldiers are now combat ready to engage in any warfare with the enemy in the riverine areas.
“The U.S Marine Corps Africa has added value to the capacity building of the Nigerian Army, especially in the amphibious and riverine operations.”
“I must commend the graduating soldiers for having gone through the three weeks intensive and rigorous training, may your efforts never be in vain.’’
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah for approving and providing funds for the training.
Speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, said the Nigerian Army under his leadership was making tremendous efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country.
Minimah said that the collaborative training was a mile-stone in equipping Nigerian soldiers with the confidence of curbing common security challenges in the country.
“Over the past decades, a few challenges facing the nation have been a threat to oil exploration and economic activities in the Niger Delta area.
“This is as a result of the activities of criminals, and some misguided elements, ‘’ he said.
He said that the success of deployment of soldiers to curtail insecurity in the area was dependent on effective training of personnel and the capability to deliver the necessary efforts.
Leader of the U.S Marine, Capt. Peter Kennedy commended the Nigerian Army for their discipline and hard work.
Kennedy said he was looking forward to having more training partnership between the U.S Marine and the Nigerian Army.
A cross section of the graduating soldiers lauded the training partnership of the Nigerian Army and the U.S Marine.
They added that the knowledge gained from the training would help them in combating illegalities around the riverine areas.
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