The Nigerian Army is conducting a training for 2000 Nigerian Customs personnel on how to handle firearms.
The personnel drawn from the states covered by the Zone D Customs Zonal Command are being trained at the Shooting Range of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi.
Zone D Zonal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service covers Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau States.
Addressing the trainees, the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Brigadier General Michael T. Durowaiye said that the training is to equip the Customs Officers with the necessary basic skills in weapons handling to help them depend themselves in the course of their duties.
He informed them that, they will be trained in weapons assemblage, marksmanship, safety measures and other skills that are necessary to protect them from attacks by unscrupulous elements.
According to him, weapons handling training for the Customs personnel is necessary especially at a time when they are being challenged by smugglers and cross border bandits carrying sophisticated weapons.
“This is aimed at assisting the Service to effectively counter activities of smugglers who have recently become emboldened in their attack on Customs personnel in many cases using sophisticated weapons.”
He urged them to utilise the training to sharpen their skills and be compassionate when handling weapons using them only when necessary.
Speaking, the Acting Garrison Commander who is also the training officer in charge of the exercise, Major Labilwa Tata Madugu disclosed that, the training will be conducted for the customs officers in batches of 200.
According to him, the training is to avail the Customs officers on handling AK47 Rifles and Pistols which they use in their operations.
He disclosed that, the training is being conducted by the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and hosted by the 33 Artillery Brigade, Shadawanka Barracks which one of the Brigades under the 3 Division.
The trainees were being trained on how to disassemble and assemble weapons as well as how to shoot at targets.The training will last for weeks
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