y has completed an intensive training program for 60 newly enlisted soldiers, equipping them with specialized skills to tackle the persistent menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
The recruits, drawn from the 89 Regular Recruit Intake and having passed out from the Nigerian Army Depot only two months prior, underwent a rigorous seven-week course that began on January 5, 2026. Training took place at the headquarters of 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, in Delta State.
The curriculum emphasized practical skills essential for operations in the volatile region, including protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, internal security duties, counter-insurgency tactics, crowd management, peace enforcement, anti-terrorism strategies, advanced weapon handling, and safeguarding civilian lives and property.
During the passing-out ceremony held on Monday, Brigadier General Moronfolu Shonibare, Commander of 63 Brigade, congratulated the graduates and described the event as “a proud affirmation of your readiness to uphold the values and responsibilities expected of you as soldiers of the Nigerian Army.”
He noted that the program aligns directly with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of developing a professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force capable of operating effectively in joint and multi-agency environments. General Shonibare underscored the strategic importance of the Niger Delta, calling it the economic lifeline of Nigeria due to its vast oil and gas resources.
The Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion, Major Abdulaziz Haruna, highlighted the necessity of close collaboration with sister security agencies and private security outfits such as Tantita Security Services Limited. He urged the new soldiers to embody their unit’s motto, “Ever Ready,” and to apply their acquired expertise decisively in real-world operations.
Oil theft and illegal pipeline tapping continue to inflict severe economic and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, where criminal networks siphon crude oil for illicit refining and sale, costing the nation billions of naira annually.
This latest training initiative forms part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing strategy to bolster security, protect national assets, and support economic recovery in one of the country’s most vital regions.
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