Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), says the Nigerian Army is better and well equipped to tackle insurgency, banditry and other security challenges in the country.

Mr Yahaya stated this on Friday at the closing of the 2022 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship hosted by its 3 Division Rukuba, near Jos.

The event was held at the Division’s Small Arms Range, Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.

The COAS, who described the exercise as a form of training, promised to prioritise training and retraining of personnel for optimal performance.

Mr Yahaya added that the championship afforded officers and men of the Nigerian Army the opportunity to improve on their weapon handling skills toward combating insecurity in the country.

He explained that arms handling remained the hallmark of the military, adding that the exercise would improve the shooting skills of the personnel.

“This is a bi-annual training event which seeks to engender a higher sense of combating and weapon handling among our troops.

“The success of this year’s event is an indication of my commitment to entrench and enhance realistic training for our troops.

“This championship will improve troops’ capability and operational effectiveness and ensure proper use of our weapon in a better scale, to defeat all threats to our national security.

“The Nigerian Army under my watch will continue to prioritise training as a critical component in ensuring a mission ready and capable force to carry out the mandate given to us by the president,” he said.

The COAS added that the championship had provided it with the opportunity to identify a significant number of men among officers and soldiers that would fight insecurity.

The army chief directed commanders of units and formations to ensure all training approved by the army headquarters for personnel were conducted.

Mr Yayaha called on Nigerians to collaborate and support the military and other security agencies in their bid toward tackling insecurity in the country.

Various commands and formations participated in the competition with Army Headquarters Garrison emerging the overall winner.

(NAN)