By: Shaft 

On Friday, April 5, 2019, Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) concluded Arms Squad Training Programme designed to improve the overall operational effectiveness and efficiency of the Command in general and graduating Officers and Men specifically. The event was held at Command’s Annex Premises located along Aba Road, Umuahia. The Commandant of the Abia State NSDC, Senior Officers of the Command’s Headquarters in Umuahia, Area and Division Commands of NSDC in entire Abia State were present in the occasion. Officers and Men of NSDC, families, relations, friends and associates of the graduating participants of the training programme, and members of the public witnessed the Passing-Out-Ceremony (POP).

About 200 Officers and Men of the State Command selected from different Area Commands and Divisions in Abia State participated actively in the graduation ceremony and gallantly displayed to the admiration of others the skills and expertise they acquired in the course of the training programme. Primarily, the skills acquired are essentially in the areas of handling professionally light weapons and other security strategies designed to combat crimes effectively.

The Basic Arms Squad (Action Squad) Training Programme according to the Assistant Commandant and Head of Department, Training & Manpower Development, and the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) respectively, commenced on January 15, 2019, and ended formally on April 5, 2019, with the Passing-Out-Parade (POP) drawing the curtains down. The entire contents and the duration of the programme were generally described as highly demanding and intensive, mentally, physically and lasted about two and months. These sources disclosed the training programme was organized and coordinated in collaboration with Nigeria Army’s 343 Artillery Regiment Elele, Rivers State. Instructors in the training programme were selected from the two services-Nigeria Army, and NSDC. The training locations used were the facilities of NSDC in Abia State and the Army’s 343 Artillery facilities in Elele respectively. Composition of the NSDC Officers and Men who participated in the programme was about 70% and 30% male and female genders respectively in ratio.

The core essence of the training programme apart from improving generally services delivery by the Command in all ramifications was targeted specifically at enhancing the professional knowledge and competency of the participants in greater efficiency, discipline, and dexterity in light weapons handling, and fire-discipline. NSDC Asst. Commandant and HOD in charge of Training/Manpower Development and PRO counterpart disclosed the training programme was timely as a deliberate policy and strategy aimed at curbing or eliminating any incidents of accidental discharge cases among the staff of the security agency, especially in the contexts of instilling fire-discipline in the agency. The same sources maintained, with the successful completion of the training programme, NSDC, Abia State Command is now effectively repositioned to respond to all manners of security issues or challenges under its  mandate and operational oversights.

Major highlights of the opening formalities of ceremony included the customary review and inspection of Guard-of-Honour, comprising of the participants, by the Abia State Command’s Commandant; rendition of the National Anthem; Address by  HOD, Training/Manpower Development; display of parades by the Officers and Men of  Batch E Arms Squad, amongst other activities. Highpoints of the event featured different demonstrations and displays of weapons handling sessions involving dismantling and reassembling of AK-47 and other rifles. Crimes prevention strategies were equally demonstrated; as well as demonstrations on Rescue Strategies of victim of violent crimes, particularly perceived kidnap victims. The event also witnessed the formal commissioning and handover of Water Borehole Legacy Project executed by the Officers and Men of 2019 Batch E, located in NSDC Annex Premises, Aba Road, Umuahia. The State Command’s Commandant performed the commissioning, accompanied by top ranking Officers of the State Command.

The grand-finale of the event was marked by the Address of the State Commandant; certificates presentations by the Commandant; remarks by the Chief Trainer/Instructor of the Training Programme, who disclosed no casualties were recorded in the course of the training; and expressed immense appreciation on the support and commitment by the Commandant in the successful completion of the training programme. The Coordinator of Arms Squad (Action Squad) and other Officers in their remarks extolled the gallant spirit and leadership qualities of the State Commandant and his numerous achievements aimed at repositioning effectively the State Command since assumption of duty, especially the provision of enabling environment for effective services delivery and specifically efforts to complete some abandoned building projects predating his assumption of office in Abia.

In his Address the Commandant appreciated NSDC Commandant-General for granting approval for the training programme to take place; Nigeria Army for collaboration and logistics support in the areas of handling the training and impartations of needed skills, knowledge, and expertise. The Commandant equally saluted the great spirit of the staff of NSDC for various roles and contributions manifested in the successful participations at different strategic levels and completion of the programme. The Officers and Men of 2019 Batch were urged by the Boss to exhibit and uphold professional conducts at all times, to shun associating with criminal elements at all costs, to preserve and protect the image of NSDC, and to discharge their security duties to Nigerians citizenry and the government with utmost sense of responsibility and pride as Officers and Men of distinction.