By Anan Geolengs
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Thursday commissioned a Tactical Training Ground and Obstacle Course at its Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command Headquarters in Abuja to enhance personnel capacity and operational preparedness.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who commissioned the facility, said the project reflected the Corps’ commitment to building a modern, intelligence-driven and professionally competent force.
Audi said the training ground was a strategic investment to equip officers with skills needed to respond to evolving security threats across the country.
“There is no denying the fact that Corps personnel are a critical organizational asset whose collective skills, knowledge, and experience are essential for modern, technology and intelligence-driven security operations”.
The NSCDC boss listed terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, vandalism of critical infrastructure, illegal mining, cybercrime, oil theft and communal conflicts as some of the threats confronting the nation.
He noted that addressing them required a skilled, competent and well-trained workforce that was physically, mentally and emotionally alert.
“Training and re-training is therefore not optional but of operational strategic importance”.
He added that the facility would provide a realistic environment for officers to improve physical fitness, tactical maneuvers, endurance, confidence, teamwork and operational readiness before deployment.
Audi reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, community engagement and proactive crime prevention.
He said the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, CNAI, remained one of the defining mandates of the Corps, with personnel deployed daily to safeguard oil and gas installations, power facilities, telecommunications, railways and water systems.
Commending the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, for the initiative, Audi described the project as a legacy that would enhance personnel capacity for years to come.
He said the Corps had prioritised staff welfare through regular promotions, training opportunities, medical support, housing initiatives, insurance benefits and reward systems to boost morale and productivity.
The Commandant General charged personnel to “train with discipline, professionalism and integrity,” stressing that the facility placed greater responsibility on FCT officers serving in the nation’s capital.
Speaking earlier, Odumosu said the training ground was an investment in professionalism and operational excellence designed to prepare officers for the complex security environment in the FCT.
He said the facility would be used for obstacle crossing, endurance drills, tactical movement, rescue simulations, disaster response, search-and-rescue operations, combat fitness and leadership development.
Odumosu thanked Audi for his approval, strategic direction and provision of tactical training equipment, and also appreciated the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, CON, for supporting security agencies in the territory.
He acknowledged the contributions of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, CGC Nigeria Ltd, Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Datum Construction, SCC, CCECC and Zeberced, as well as other donors, for providing engineering expertise, equipment and financial support.
The FCT Commandant assured that the facility would produce officers who embody courage, discipline, professionalism and selfless service.
The event was attended by representatives of sister security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
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