The Nigerian Army says it is conducting training for more men to be deployed to the North east in the fight against insurgency.

This was made known by the acting director of Army Public Relations, Sani Kukasheka, a colonel, who also said the recent success recorded against insurgency in the region could be ascribed to a similar training done for men of the armed forces.

“Within the last month, 481 personnel of the Armed Forces Special Forces which comprises personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police have completed their training and inducted in to the theatre of operations within 7 Division Area of Responsibility.  Recent achievements recorded in the North East can be attributed to the exploits of this elite force,” Kukasheka said, adding that other training within and outside the country is being conducted for soldiers.

“Army Headquarters Task Force Group is currently in the last phase of their training while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel (and) personnel training on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the United Kingdom and United States are ongoing.”

In another development, the Nigerian Army said it has devised ways of easing payment of entitlements to retirees and next of kins of deceased soldiers, as the Army Administrative Policies and Procedures, which were last reviewed in 2005, have been recently reviewed.

“To ease the problems associated with retiring Nigerian Army officers, a one-stop documentation procedure was devised recently. An office of the Deputy Director Retirement and Documentation was established at the Army Headquarters Department of Administration with a 90 day time line of documenting and processing retiring officers’ benefits.

“Similarly, a system of annual update of Nigerian Army personnel Next-of-Kins has been devised.  This is intended to eliminate the hardship hitherto experienced by families and in particular, the Next-of-Kins of our fallen colleagues,” the Army spokesman said.

Usman also noted that two separate court martial’s are currently ongoing at the Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism.