The Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has commenced a four-day retraining program on weapon handling and marksmanship on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to reduce collateral damage during engagements.
The exercise, taking place at the 5 Battalion Barracks of the Nigerian Army in Elele, Rivers State, focuses on small arms firing and range classification.
It is the second bi-annual Small Arms Firing and Range Classification exercise organized for officers and personnel in bases and units across Yenagoa and the Delta areas.
The Flag Officer Commanding of the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ahmad Gaya, said that the primary objective of the exercise is to retrain personnel on weapons handling.
He was represented by the Chief Staff Officer of the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samiu Adepegba.
They will utilize various firearms, including the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), AK-47/AK-56 rifles, Tavor rifles, and various types of pistols.
Gaya expressed confidence that the exercise would enhance professionalism among personnel, while also stressing the importance of safety on the range.
He urged all participants to adhere strictly to safety rules and range protocols.
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Gaya extended his gratitude to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, for providing the necessary logistics for the exercise.
The Commander of Joint Task Force ‘Operation Delta Safe’, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, served as the special guest of honor and highlighted the significance of weapon handling in military operations.
He pointed out that, like many nations worldwide, Nigeria faces diverse and evolving security challenges, including insurgency, terrorism in the northeast, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes in the north-central and northwest regions, as well as separatist agitations in the southeast.
Madugu noted that the spectrum of these threats is broad and complex, particularly within the maritime environment, which directly impacts the roles of the Nigerian Navy.
He stressed that addressing these threats requires personnel with strong weapon-handling skills and urged participants to take the exercise seriously to maximize its benefits.
Additionally, he reinforced the importance of safety and called on participants to strictly adhere to established safety procedures and maintain discipline on the range.
Madugu also thanked the chief of the naval staff for providing the necessary resources for the exercise.
