The Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora has graduated 589 soldiers after completing Pre-Deployment Training Batch One, priming them for frontline duties with the Joint Task Force North East (JTF-NE) under OPERATION HADIN KAI against insurgency.
The graduation ceremony took place on Friday at the Kontagora Military Cantonment Parade Ground, presided over by NATRAC Commander, Major General A.G.L. Haruna. The troops, who arrived on January 12, 2026, endured a demanding four-week Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency (CT/COIN) program tailored for Northeast security operations.
Rigorous Training Simulates Real Battlefield Conditions
Major General Haruna revealed that these personnel form Phase One of the Nigerian Army Rotation Plan 2026. The training featured day and night sessions to mirror real-world scenarios, boosting combat readiness.
The training encompassed a wide range of critical military skills, including physical fitness conditioning, close-quarter marksmanship, obstacle crossing, convoy drills, counter-ambush operations, house clearance, patrol techniques, tactical medical evacuation, ground sign awareness, counter-IED operations, mountain warfare, base camp security, communication drills, and hostage rescue operations.
The Commander aligned the program with Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General W. Shaibu’s philosophy, aiming to build a professional, adaptable, combat-ready force for joint and multi-agency ops.
Major General Haruna expressed optimism:
“The training you have undergone has equipped you with the requisite skills to confront contemporary security threats wherever you may be deployed,”
He urged the troops:
to continually apply lessons learned, uphold professionalism, show courage, resilience, and gallantry, and unite to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The NATRAC Commander thanked the COAS for support and praised officers/instructors for their dedication.
Ceremony Highlights: Combat Demos and Promotions
Event highlights featured unarmed combat displays and a tug-of-war competition, thrilling attendees. It wrapped with group photos celebrating the milestone.
Senior military officers, instructors, and stakeholders attended, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s push for elite forces in the Northeast theatre amid ongoing Boko Haram threats.
