By Linus Akomolafe
To enhance professionalism and reduce accidents from weapon handling in the force, the Nigerian Navy, Westernal Naval Command, has begun a 3-Day Small Arms firing Exercise for 500 Navalis officers.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, said the ongoing exercise at 192 Battalion Nigerian Army shooting range, Owode ,Ogun State, is part of its training package aimed at improving officers weapon handling skills and reducing numbers of accidents.
Gbasa began the exercise on Tuesday with an opening shot on kneeling position while officers took turns.
He said: ” this is part of our training package whose objective is to enhance weapon handling skills of our men, their firing skills as well as to reduce incidences of fire accidents and it is part of inculcating discipline in the men.”
He added that it is an activity crafted into the overall package of the Navy and after the small arms firing exercise it would also cover training on higher calibre weapons and gunnery exercises at sea.
Speaking on the selection process, he said 500 men were drawn from all units and the establishment of the command.
He also revealed that the yearly event was affected last year due to the outbreak of COVID-19 but hope to organise more training that would build confidence to defend the nation.
“COVID-19 affected organisation of this exercise. Throughout last year we were not able to organise. It is as the entire world is recovering from the incident. For the year 2021, this is the first time we having this small arms firing exercise and it is our hope that going forward into the coming year, we will have more of this exercises,” he said.
