The Nigerian Army has assured Nigerians that Sambisa forest, where the 2017 small arms completion will take place this year, has been secured from any form of attack by Boko Haram.
Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu, said despite the defeat of Boko Haram and recapture of the heart of Sambisa, known as Camp Zairo, the army has taken adequate measures to secure the general area where the exercise will hold.
He said about 20 square kilometers around the range area where the event will hold has been fortified to prevent any form of possible attack from the Boko Haram.
General Ahmadu, who was speaking at a preliminary press conference ahead the NASA games, said the annual games will hold from Monday and end on Friday.
He said the essence of this year’s competition is to make Sambisa forest safe for habitation and military activities.
He said the army corps of engineers has recently embarked on construction of roads and culverts around Sambisa to ease movement.
He said during the competition, various calibers of arms that fall under the light arm category will be fired by competing soldiers.
General Ahmadu said other activities like medical outreach, security awareness programmes for traditional rulers and support for internally displaced persons will be carried during the weeklong event.
He said the small arms championship will promote marksmanship among soldiers and enhance the role of the army in securing the country.
The text of the briefing reads, “This press briefing kicks-start the 5-day event of the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) 2017 and fire power demonstration at Sambisa Forest in Borno State from Monday 27 to Friday 31 March 2017.
The Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition otherwise known as NASAC, is part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army scheduled for 2017.
It is a competition among the formations of the Nigerian Army. The objective of the Championship is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the Nigerian Army personnel.
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The formations will be competing in marksmanship with the best formation carting away the prestigious Chief of Army Staff’s trophy.
Additionally, the NASAC 2017 is designed to consolidate on the total defeat and routing out of the Boko Haram terrorists from their operational headquarters at Camp Zero in Sambisa Forest.
Furthermore, the championship will also mark the commencement of the on-going plan to move speedily and make the Sambisa forest general area safe for habitation and subsequently make it an area for the Nigerian Army training activities.
To this end, provision has already been made for the opening of more roads, construction of culverts and bridges by the Nigerian Army Engineers to facilitate easy movements to the general area.
The NASAC 2017 is unique with the introduction of Nigerian Army fire power demonstration as part of the activities.
This would enable Nigerian Army to test its armoured tanks, infantry weapons and artillery guns as well as various weapons in its inventory to enhance battle marksmanship and professionalism of its personnel.
There is no gain saying that the small arms championship is set to be another epoch making event that would further emphasize the Nigerian Army’s effort and resolve in meeting and sustaining the constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to peace and security in various parts of our dear country.
In this regard, the general public especially the residents of Borno state are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being will continue to be guaranteed.
However, the general public is requested to remain on high alert and be security conscious, as insurgents fleeing from military operations in the North East have started infiltrating to hibernate amidst innocent communities.
The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action.
The press has always been partners in progress hence we are using this opportunity to request thw media to give this historic training championship (NASAC 2017) widest publicity in their respective media outlet to enhance its successful hosting.
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