Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have graduated the pioneer batch of 17 Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (CSK) crewmen as part of efforts to enhance operational readiness and mobility in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in Nigeria’s North West.
The graduation ceremony, held at the 8 Division Training School, marked a major milestone in the Division’s drive to strengthen the tactical capabilities of its frontline troops through specialized combat vehicle training.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the training is aimed at integrating highly skilled drivers with advanced combat vehicles to improve troop mobility and battlefield effectiveness.
Addressing the graduates, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, described CSK crewmen as indispensable in modern warfare, noting that their ability to strategically position gunners provides a significant tactical advantage during combat operations
He stressed that operating sophisticated military platforms requires both technical competence and the right mindset, adding that continuous on-the-job training remains vital for sustaining operational effectiveness within military formations.
Major General Koughna said specialized CSK training has become a necessity in the fight against terrorism and banditry across the North West, urging the graduates to deploy their newly acquired skills effectively in their respective units.
He also announced a special monthly allowance as an incentive to encourage professionalism and excellence among the trained personnel.
Earlier, the Course Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Edidion Okonnah, said the intensive programme was initiated by the GOC to improve force protection, enhance troop mobility and ensure uninterrupted operational support across the 8 Division Area of Responsibility.
According to him, the 17 participants drawn from various formations underwent rigorous theoretical and practical training covering military vehicle systems, CSK components and capabilities, driving techniques, highway codes, vehicle inspection, tyre replacement, and combat recovery procedures.
The ceremony featured a practical driving demonstration by the graduating crewmen, showcasing their precision, tactical awareness, and vehicle handling skills, followed by a group photograph to commemorate the successful completion of the course.
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