Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
No less than 452 Army officers; are undergoing regimentation and leadership training ‘fitness walk march’ at Nguru, Yobe state. The training centre is located at 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru, 245 kilometres northwest of Damaturu, the state capital. Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Edwin Ugorji disclosed this Saturday, after leading a combined fitness walk march along with some residents on streets of Nguru. His words: “It was exciting and encouraging to our troops that some residents, including children joined us in the leadership fitness walk march. “The Nguru residents were singing victory songs along with the soldiers, in jubilation,” he said.
This reporter, who witnessed the exercise that lasted for overt two hours, reports that residents of the ancient border town came out in tens of thousands. Residents that joined the troops in leadership fitness walk also hailed and cheered the soldiers as they marched through the five-kilometre walk. According to Ugorji, the brisk walk, is to ascertain the fitness level and combat readiness of officers against any form of challenge they may find. He said some of the officers would be deployed to protect and defend the country against any enemy within or external. He said all the officers are graduates of Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) and are on a three months regimentation and leadership training at Nguru. The fitness walk commenced at the parade ground of the barracks, before the officers walked pass the east flank of township; through the market square, roundabout and returned to barracks.
It was learnt that 26 female officers; were among the 452 graduating officers who would be passing out this week. Some of the jubilation residents, who spoke to The Guardian at the weekend, said they feel very safe with the presence of soldiers in township. Audu Hassan, said that the presence of troops in Jajimaji, Nguru and Machina has given them confidence to do their fishing activities along the Kumadugu-Yobe River without any fear or being displaced by Boko Haram. Continued; “I feel being protected with the presence of soldiers in barracks. We also have a cordial relationship among them. “ “We are doing our fishing business here without any harassment by the army and we are very happy about that.” Ugorji, in his brief remarks, disclosed that officers are well equipped and combat-ready to deal with any form of external or internal aggression against the nation.
According to him, the AOR of Jaji Maji, Machina and Nguru are highly fortified to fight any form of criminality, banditry and armed robbery. He also claimed that Boko Haram is over, as troops are now dealing with various forms of criminality, including armed banditry. He therefore, called on people to cooperate with military and other security agencies by providing useful information on suspicious characters in their communities. “This would make the security agents work better so they can sleep with their eyes closed,” he assured.
