By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commissioned a Tactical Training Ground and Obstacle Course at its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command Headquarters in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen personnel capacity and improve operational readiness.
Speaking during the commissioning on Thursday at the FCT Command, Wuse Zone 5, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the facility was a strategic investment aimed at preparing officers to effectively tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Audi said the project underscored the Corps’ commitment to building a modern, intelligence-driven and professionally competent security organisation.
“There is no denying the fact that Corps personnel are a critical organisational asset whose collective skills, knowledge and experience are essential for modern, technology and intelligence-driven security operations,” he said.
He identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure, illegal mining, cybercrime, oil theft and communal conflicts as major threats confronting the country, stressing that such challenges required a highly skilled and well-trained workforce.
“Training and retraining is therefore not optional but of operational strategic importance,” he added.
According to him, the new facility will provide a realistic environment where personnel can improve their physical fitness, tactical manoeuvres, endurance, teamwork, confidence and operational readiness before deployment.
The NSCDC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through intelligence-led operations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, community engagement and proactive crime prevention.
He also reiterated that the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure remains one of the core mandates of the Corps, noting that NSCDC personnel eere deployed daily to secure oil and gas facilities, power installations, telecommunications infrastructure, railways and water systems across the country.
The Commandant General commended the FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, for initiating the project, describing it as a legacy investment that would strengthen the operational capacity of personnel for many years.
He further disclosed that the Corps had continued to prioritise staff welfare through regular promotions, training opportunities, medical support, housing initiatives, insurance benefits and reward systems aimed at boosting morale and productivity.
Audi charged Officers and men of the FCT Command to make effective use of the facility by maintaining discipline, professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier, the FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, described the commissioning as the fulfilment of a vision to better prepare officers for the increasingly complex security environment in the Federal Capital Territory and across Nigeria.
Odumosu said investment in training remained the foundation of every effective security organisation, noting that the Tactical Training Ground was established to enhance professionalism, preparedness and operational excellence.
According to him, the facility will expose personnel to realistic operational exercises, including obstacle crossing, endurance drills, tactical movement, rescue simulations, disaster response, search-and-rescue operations, combat fitness and leadership development.
He expressed appreciation to the Commandant General for approving the project and providing strategic direction, tactical equipment and institutional support that made its completion possible.
He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for supporting security agencies and creating an enabling environment for improved security collaboration in Abuja.
The FCT Commandant further acknowledged the contributions of construction firms, including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, CGC Nigeria Limited, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Datum Construction Nigeria Limited, SCC Self Compacting Concrete, CCECC Quarry and Zeberced, as well as other corporate organisations and individuals who supported the project.
He urged Officers to maximise the opportunity provided by the new facility by embracing discipline, resilience and continuous training.
“Every training session undertaken here may one day save your life, protect a colleague or enable you to save innocent Nigerians in moments of danger,” he said.
The NSCDC FCT boss expressed confidence that the Tactical Training Ground would serve as a centre of excellence for developing courageous, disciplined and professional Officers capable of responding effectively to emerging security threats in the FCT and beyond.
