The 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, has organised its Schedule Range Classification exercise to boost weapon handling among troops.

The exercise was held at the Army’s Shooting Range, Miango, Bassa LGA.

Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, the division’s general officer commanding (GOC), said the exercise was a biannual activity.

Mr Abubakar explained that the exercise would sharpen troops’ marksmanship skills toward ensuring minimal casualty during operations. He added that it would also curtail waste of ammunition by troops deployed to battlegrounds or during internal security operations.

”The Nigerian Army Second Schedule Range Classification is an exercise conducted bi-annually in all the formations and units of the Nigerian Army for its troops across the country.

”This exercise is designed to assess the service ability of the Nigerian Army arsenal and at the same time test the effectiveness of troops’ skills in weapon handling and ascertain troops’ battle readiness,” he explained.

Mr Abubakar added, ”The exercise serves as an avenue for troops to sharpen their marksmanship skills, to ensure minimal casualty and waste of ammunition when deployed in battle or internal security operations.

”It also serves as an avenue of fostering mutual and cordial inter-agency relationship with sister security agencies and civilians through novelty shooting exercises.”

Gakji Shipi, the special adviser on security to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, commended the army for organising the exercise.

Mr Shipi added that the exercise, a crucial aspect of training and retraining of personnel, would ensure proper weapon handling by troops deployed to maintain peace and security in all parts of Plateau.

(NAN)