Maj-Gen Kabir Mukhtar, General Officer Commanding (GOC)1 Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna, has praised the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for producing skilled and result-oriented officers in all spheres of military life.
Major Bashir Jajira, the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, made the announcement in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.
He quoted Mukhtar as saying this at the NDA Open Shooting Range Afaka on Friday during the Cadets Brigade First Quarter Inter-Battalion Shooting Competition.
The GOC stated that the reintroduction and reactivation of the Academy Shooting Range Gallery, as well as the recent intensive combat shooting exercise, demonstrated the academy’s determination to produce officers who would do the nation proud.
Jajira also stated that the Commandant of the NDA, Maj- Gen Ibrahim Yusuf, stated that shooting and weapon handling skills, which he referred to as a soldier’s best friends in any combat operation.
This, he said, would be drilled into the cadets as they progressed toward becoming commissioned officers of the Armed Forces.
Jajira revealed that after a fiercely contested competition, Burma Battalion came out on top with 351.5 points, while Mogadishu Battalion came in second with 311.
“The Abyssinia Battalion took third place with 291 points.” He added that Dalet Battalion finished fourth with 286 points.
He also stated that Cadets LC Thankgod of Mogadishu Battalion and SA Adeyemi of Burma Battalion received awards for the best shot for Pistol and AK 47 rifle, respectively, at the competition.
“The cadets brigade Inter-battalion shooting competition for 69Regular course army cadets is designed to demonstrate the cadets’ proficiency in combat shooting and weapon handling after 7 weeks of continuous rigorous weapon training.”
“The weapons used were a pistol and an AK-47 rifle,” he explained.
He revealed that the drills included deliberate fire, snap shooting, battle marksmanship, and combat medic shooting.
The highlight of the drill is an unique shooting match between the special guest of honor and the Commandant’s team.
“At the end of the exercise, the GOC’s Team triumphed.” “I’ve attached photos from the event,” Jajira said.