The Chief of Army Staff (COAS)Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has charged troops of the Nigerian Army to effectively deploy skills and knowledge gained from training for planning and conduct of operations for the attainment of national security objectives. Gen Yahaya handed down the directive today 18 May 2023, during the graduation ceremony of officers and soldiers trained in the EXERCISE RESTORE HOPE IV Series, at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia, Kaduna. 

The training which began on the 25 of January 2023, had troops drawn from various formations and units, who have been undergoing rigorous training and drills in marksmanship, unarmed battle drills and other advanced Special Forces training. 

The well attended ceremony showcased series of shooting and tactical drills to demonstrate newly acquired combat prowess of the graduands.

Speaking further at the event, the COAS expressed delight for the successful conduct of the training for the first time by the Nigerian Army Training Team, adding that the first to third series of Exercise Restore Hope were conducted by foreign partners, while the fourth series was solely conducted by the NA Training Team with the advisory of the foreign partners. 

Gen Yahaya, who pointed out that training is pivotal to his philosophy of command, stated that Exercise Restore Hope training series provides the platform for the NA to sustain its efforts to adequately prepare the troops for operations in a complex and dynamic security environment. He noted that judging from the numerous benefits and impact of the Exercise, the series of training will be sustained in the NA. He disclosed that preparations are almost completed for Exercise Restore Hope V, with the bulk of its troops coming from young soldiers who recently passed out from Depot NA. He pledged that under his watch, training will be accorded its prime of place in the NA.

The Army Chief seized the opportunity to express appreciation to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari for his strategic guidance, untiring support and encouragement to the NA. Gen Yahaya reassured the nation of the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the NA to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ceremony had in attendance, the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, Principal Staff Officers of Army Headquarters, Commander Infantry Corps, General Officers Commanding 1 and 3 Divisions, representatives of security agencies in Kachia, the Chairman Kachia Local Government, the Agom Kachia and senior officers both serving and retired.

The event was climaxed with the presentation of souvenirs to special guests and the training team.