In the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army has launched a week-long weapon handling competition involving soldiers at the rank of corporal and below, specifically selected from the 6 Division.
The aim of the competition, as learned by South-South PUNCH, is to enhance their endurance and readiness for forthcoming duties.
The competition encompasses various activities such as disassembling and assembling rifles, marksmanship, physical fitness tests, obstacle courses, map reading drills, combat swimming, and a drill competition, among others.
Participants from 2 Brigade, 16 Brigade, 63 Brigade, and the 6 Division Garrison are competing in this five-day event hosted at the 3 Battalion Parade Ground in Effurun, Delta State.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding of the 6 Division and the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony on Monday, emphasized that the focus of the competition is on physical fitness and stamina to prepare the troops for their upcoming tasks.
Representing Abdussalam, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, the Commander of 6 Division Garrison and South-South Sector Commander of Operation Delta Safe, reiterated the importance of soldiers maintaining peak physical condition at all times.
Abdussalam articulated, “Given the various security operations ongoing in Nigeria, our troops must maintain physical, mental, and spiritual fitness to effectively address these challenges, hence this annual event.”
He further explained, “This exercise, directed by Army Headquarters, focuses on enhancing combat efficiency, leadership skills, and organizational abilities of junior non-commissioned officers below the rank of Corporal.”
Abdussalam expressed his optimism that the competition will test the participants’ abilities to perform under strenuous conditions while fostering camaraderie among them.
He stressed the paramount significance of physical and mental fitness in tackling the nation’s security issues and highlighted the role of such training exercises in the operational success of the Nigerian Army.
Emphasizing the need for dedication and fair play, the GOC encouraged the participants to give their all without taking shortcuts and called on the referees to uphold integrity to achieve the competition’s objectives.
Earlier, Brigadier General Vitus Uwachukwu, the Commander of 63 Brigade, cautioned soldiers in the formation against engaging in late-night activities due to prevailing security concerns in the country.