The joint military force deployed to protect oil installations
in the Niger Delta at the weekend concluded an arms handling training to
enhance the precision of troops in operations.
The
one month shooting and marksmanship exercise came to a climax with an inter
sector skills at arms competition amongst the four sectors of the force based
in the region.
Sector
3, of the Joint Task Force in Niger Delta christened, Operation Delta Safe won
the gold trophy, Sector 2 clinched silver trophy while Sector 1 went home with
the bronze trophy.
Speaking
at the event Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa who was the Special guest
reiterated that the performance of the military depends largely on their skill
which is enhanced by training.
Dickson
who spoke though his deputy Rear Adm. John Jonah, (Rtd) appealed for the
sustenance of the culture of periodic training of the armed forces to help them
overcome the security challenges facing the country.
He
noted that the Niger Delta environment, which consists of creeks, swamps,
rivers with settlements along the Atlantic coastline was a very difficult
terrain for military operations.
He
however noted that the challenging terrain was a blessing in disguise as it
provides a suitable training environment for military training.
Commander
of the joint force, Rear Adm. Suleiman Apochi in his opening remarks noted that
the training exercise was designed to enhance the combat readiness of the
troops in view of the enormous risks they face.
“The
need for training cannot be over emphasised, more so due to the composition of
the force with personnel across the services of the military.
“It
is also to make the personnel from different services work as a team.
“The
training is to make the personnel more proficient and increase their precision
to defend themselves when under attack and to defend the citizens and oil
infrastructure.
“The
skills at Arms contest was just an icing on the cake aimed at building team
spirit, understanding amongst personnel from various services who are perhaps
training together after their deployments to the joint force ,” Apochi stated.
Heads
of the various military formations operating in Bayelsa graced the occasion
which held at the Nigerian Army Shooting range, Elele Barracks in Rivers.
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