Achieving greatness in all facets of live, requires hard work, dedication and improved skills in one else’s individual field of endeavors. And just like any other profession the military is also known for its high combatant skills. MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU writes on the displayed skills of men, and women of the STF, in their handling of weapons.
Globally, armed forces of various nations are known for war-gaming, simulation, rehearsals, competitions and bush exercise among several methods of positioning its military for optimum performance. This is true of Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies.
In the light of the above and the need to keep its officers and men, training and retraining as part of enhancing the skills of its troops. The Special Task Force (STF), aka (Operation Save Heaven) which is saddled with the onerous tasks of restoration of law and order, as well as peace keeping in Plateau and part of Bauchi States, now under the command ship of Major-General David D. Enetie, deemed it wise to engaged men of the STF, in competition, of filed demonstration of weapons handling, stripping and assemblies, after intense training, retraining and later on competition between inter sectors and Forward Operation Bases (FOB), that falls within its fold.
The demonstration which was done at the STF headquarters was heralded by soldiers’ show of force all in preparatory to the forth coming general elections, beside the fights as against insurgencies.
According to the STF Commander General Enetie, the event was the first of its kind since inception of the STF in the year 2010, and that the competition has even become necessary as part of the in theatre, more so that the Soldiers have find themselves in the duties of Internal Security (IS).
Relatively the Commander said, the STF AOR Presently constitutes, a dusty environment, hence requires constant stripping, cleaning, and assemblies by personnel, in view of the operational commitments of the troops, stressing that though this may not be always possible, but avenues must be created by commanders for own troops to do that.
Enetie further said: “Currently, Nigeria is confronted with the Boko Haram terrorist in the North East, the formation and units of the Nigerian Army were directed to contribute troops to fight the insurgents, the Special Task Force was also tasked to raise a Battalion to fight insurgency.”
He added that in the light of the prevailing situation, it is therefore; necessary for commanders at all level to prepare their troops in line with rules of engagement to fight terrorism and also conduct any Internal Security duty as may be assigned to them.
It is observed that the Skills at arms competition, was not only a competition Par see, to many of the civilians that were opportune and graced the event, but was yet another education on how the soldier handle his/her weapon.
And to that effect the Commander said, the best friend to any soldier both at peace or war time is his weapon, and it is expected of a soldier to always maintain his weapon in serviceable condition at all times.
“This is done to ensure that the soldier’s best friend which is his weapon does not disappoint him when there in the need for him to use it,” Enetie said.
The maiden STF, stripping, cleaning, Identifications of parts and assemblies of their weapons at the headquarters, which have in attendance, all service chiefs of Security agencies serving in Plateau State was not only competitive but was beautifully, colorful and General Enetie, un hesitantly expressed his delight as own personnel displayed their acquired skills to the amusement of their superiors and even civilians that have participated in watching the event.
Not just training the soldiers on how to do the stripping, assemblies and handling but General Enetie, alluded that: “It is also good to create an avenue such as this to put the troops in a competitive spirit and also access the level of preparedness of the Personnel.”
He added that the event is to also allow the Personnel of different Services, serving in the STF, to learn how to strip, clean and assemble their Personal weapon within the shortest possible time, and it also “allow personnel to learn on how to carry out Immediate Action “IA” Drills.”
Elections are just few days from now, could it be that the Military personnel are also been prepare against any eventuality, and the answer could not be far fetch as the STF, Commander went further to say in his speech that, the Nigerian Military is fully involved in the 2015 General Elections, and that they are going to provide “adequate security to ensure a hitch free 2015 Elections.”
“But will not in any way interfere with the Elections,” he said. “The troops are going to be armed to provide adequate Security hence the need for them to prepare the weapons for this exercise,’ in line with rules of Engagement to prevent unnecessary casualty and accidental discharge.”’
Also commenting at the event the General Officer Commanding the Maxwell Coby 3 Armored Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, Major-General Fatayi O. Ali, explained that the idea of putting up the Skills at arms Competition designed to show case mastery of proficiency of the individual troops was apt.
According the General the competition was a further sign that the Personnel were at the preparatory mode of discharging their duties.
He gave the assurance that the “war with Boko Haram in the North East, is been worn, sooner or latter.”
General Ali, who commended the STF Commander for his constant collaboration with all the other Security agencies, having good synergy, further said: “For the good coverage of Plateau and part of Bauchi States by the STF, is giving the 3 div, another advantage of concentrating on the other parts within its coverage area of assignment of the div.”
He appreciated Enetie for inviting him to grace the even.
STF men from all the Nine Sectors, Five Forward Operations Bases (FOB’s), as well as the headquarters company, serving within the STF, participated in the Competition.
According to the Special Task Force Media/Information Officer Captain Ikedichi Iweah, the competitors contested in the categories of stripping, assemblies, identification of parts and handling of weapons.
He said: “The competition was done on AK47 raffles, and Fabric Nationale (FN), Guns on visible and blind folded (invisible), styles.”
He said the essence of the blind fold training, and skills is to prepare the soldier for an unusual happening, in case of loss of visibility on the course of any operation; “he can be able to take prompt and immediate remedy action.”
The female folks within the STF, were also not left out of the competition and it is observed that they exhibited high sense of professionalism, fastness and they do that diligently.
STF Headquarters Company emerged the overall winner, having pulled 1,076 points, and defeated Sector 9 pulling 1,030 points, while FOB Tafawa Balewa scored 690 points, and came 3rd, respectively.
While the headquarters was giving giant trophy, Sector 9 received the runners up trophy, FOB Tafawa Balewa got away with a giant Wooden Spoon.
On the individual categories Lidia Musa Sector 4 emerged winner as the best Female on AK47 raffle, best FN Female went to Rashida Momodu of sector 1, while best Male AK47 went to Private Addi Emmanuel of FOB Wase, and best FN Male was won by Lance Corporal Ogochukwu John, others were Rabiu Adamu of FOB Gashish winning the best AK47 blind fold and Sgt. Aliyu Ibrahim of Sector 7 won the best FN in the blind fold category.
Some of the contenders who emerged victories expressed happiness over the events just as Lidia Musa said, she was moved not just by the wining but; “for the fact that they are timely engaged into doing the needful.”
According her, the trophy she won was a result of collective team work, which was exhibited by single efforts, which further reflected the readiness of men towards discharging their duties.
Sgt. Aliyu Ibrahim of Sector 7 who won in the FN blind fold category, stressed that the competition was indeed joyful, and a pointer to the social affection which men are having in their duties.
“I am delighted that I won, but the winning is not the most joyful, but the spirit of doing work diligently is most priority to us,” he enthused.
Heads of security agencies as well as retired Military officers, some family members, friends of the STF, and civilians were also in attendance at the event.
