From Ben Dunno, Warri
The Commander 63 Brigade/Headquarters Sector 1 Joint Task Force South-South OPDS, Brigadier General Moronfolu Shonibare, has warned young soldiers not to be tempted or lured into crimes wherever posted to serve, as he would not hesitate to dismiss, punish, and send such erring personnel back to their villages to serve as a deterrent.
Brigadier General Shonibare read the Riot Act at the weekend during the graduation ceremony of the newly posted-in young soldiers of 88 Regular Recruit Intake who passed out from Depot NA Zaria barely two months ago, after the completion of an additional four weeks’ intensive training at 3 Battalion Barracks, Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
While reminding the young soldiers that the essence of the military training they have acquired so far was to bring glory to the Nigerian Army and the nation at large whenever the need arises wherever they are posted to serve, the Commander emphasised that anything contrary or intended to bring dishonour to the military would not be tolerated.
He noted that the Nigerian Army would not condone any act of criminality from any soldier, adding that such erring personnel would be made to face the consequences of their actions before being sent back to their villages.
According to him: “The objective of the training was clear: to prepare you to excel in the diverse challenges of military operations, with particular emphasis on internal security and counter-insurgency operations.
“The programme was meticulously designed to equip you with the requisite skills and fortitude required to serve with honour, vigilance, and efficiency. The cadre outlined the volatile nature of internal conflicts that demands a clear understanding of the operating environment.
“You have been trained to curtail scenarios such as crowd control, peace enforcement, and to impose anti-terrorism measures within the framework of protecting civilian lives and property.
“Therefore, make no mistake, as your role in preserving peace and stability in Warri and its environs cannot be overstated. Efficient use of weapons is the hallmark of every soldier.
Speaking further: “The training you’ve acquired fits into the COAS vision, which is ‘To have a Nigerian Army that is repositioned to professionally defeat all adversaries in a joint environment.’
“This skill will not only accelerate your technical proficiency but also instil in you the discipline and sense of responsibility required for the effective and ethical use of force. Your skill with arms will serve as both a deterrent and a shield, guarding against threats to national security.
Continuing: “The strength of the military lies in its cohesion; therefore, the series of instructions on regimentation that you have acquired will nurture a deep sense of cohesion and teamwork within your unit wherever deployed, with emphasis on the importance of discipline, order, and mutual respect. A tightly knit team is an unbreakable force, capable of surmounting even the most daunting challenges.
“As you get deployed to different internal security and counter-insurgency operations, remember that the training you’ve gained is not just for yourselves but also for millions of Nigerians who count on you to uphold the peace and stability of this great nation.
“The people of Warri look to you for protection, and the Nigerian Army looks to you for excellence,” Brigadier General Shonibare admonished.
In his speech at the occasion, the Commanding Officer (CO) Rear, 3 Battalion, Effurun Barracks, Major Mohammed Salma, expressed gratitude to the military hierarchy, especially the Special Guest of Honour, Commander 63 Brigade/Headquarters Sector 1 Joint Task Force South-South OPDS, Brigadier General Moronfolu Shonibare, for the support extended to the Battalion during the four weeks’ intensive training of the young soldiers.
His words: “The training programme you have acquired was meticulously designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to excel in all you will be tasked to do during your tour of duty in 3 Battalion.
“You were exposed to some essential aspects of the military, which include the conduct of internal security and counter-insurgency operations, minor infantry tactics, weapon training, and regimentation, among others.
Major Salma noted: “As you are already aware, the importance of the Unit AOR to the economic survival of the country cannot be overemphasised. The region generates a sizeable portion of the country’s revenue, which enables the government to execute impactful projects.
“It is therefore important we ensure the safety of all multinational corporations in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies. It is worthy to mention our partnership with a private surveillance company like Tantita Security Services Limited in achieving this mandate.
“Our professional and friendly collaboration has been yielding tremendous results, as indicated in the high output of crude oil production in the western corridor and minimum cases of oil theft and vandalism,” he stated.
Earlier in his speech, the 3 Battalion Unit Senior Training Instructor, Army Captain Simon Mbaya, disclosed that the four weeks’ intensive training for the newly posted-in young soldiers of the Unit was conducted from Sunday, June 30, to Thursday, July 31, 2025.
He explained that the aim of the training was to consolidate the young soldiers’ initial training from Depot Nigerian Army and to adequately prepare them before being deployed for internal security and other counter-insurgency operations in which the Unit is involved.
“It is also aimed at improving cohesion and comradeship among troops in the Unit for better operational efficiency and output,” he noted.
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