The Nigerian Army, in a bid to transform into a force better able to tackle the contemporary security challenges, has declared its commitment towards sustained training of its officers in asymmetrical warfare. The Chief of Transformation and Innovation Major-General Ibrahim Sani, stated this yesterday in Abuja at the close of a workshop on Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CT COIN), organised by the Nigerian Army Special Operations Command-Africa (NASOC) and United States Special Operations Command-Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism. Sani noted that effective human resource development orchestrated on the wheels of professional competence was fundamental to overcoming security challenges He said the Army drive towards dealing with these challenges was therefore grounded on effective training backed with adequate tools for the achievement of the mission. He said: “This is not unconnected with the fact that the complexities of contemporary globalisation and asymmetric threats today require continuous training and effective leadership. I am therefore happy with the involvement of our strategic partners in our training at this time.” Sani said the lectures and interactive sessions were revealing, inclusive, educating and thought provoking. He explained that the lessons learnt from the experiences in various theatres of operations across the world as expressed during the workshop would be valuable in the Army’s effort to defeat insurgency and terrorism in the country. He told the participants that the knowledge and techniques acquired by them were indispensable tools in whatever roles they may be called upon to play in their line of duty. “I urge you all to be agents of positive change in our drive towards defeating terrorism”, he added. Also speaking, the Commander, US Special Operation Command Africa, General James Linder, said the US was able to bring lessons learnt and gathered for many years to share with partners in Nigeria Military. Linder said the workshop was very engaging as the US participants learnt much from the seminar as those who were receiving the briefings and instructions. “We were able to give wide expanse on our lessons learnt and we were very encouraged with the level of dialogue and look forward to continue to the end”, he said.
