SAN FRANCISCO, March 24, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to visit Sambisa Forest, the recently reclaimed stronghold and strategic headquarters of Boko Haram terrorists, on Monday to declare open the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship, NASAC 2017.
Following the capture of the vast forest last December, the military declared the former game reserve as a proposed site for military institution, building roads into it and kick-starting the new status of Sambisa Forest with the hosting of the annual Small Arms Competition.
Buhari, who is also slated as the host of the competition, is to be accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mansur Ali, Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olanisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadique and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Obet Ibas.
The Chief of Training and Operations, Army, Major General David Amadu, while addressing a press conference on Friday in Maiduguri to kick-start the NASAC 2017 championship, said the championship would be formally declared open by the President on Monday, March 27, 2017.
He added the championship which draws to a close on Friday, March 31, will feature activities such as medical outreach to Bama, Konduga, and Magumeri IDPs camps, educational training for Army Education Corps in Maiduguri , security awareness meetings with the traditional rulers and distribution of relief materials to IDPs within Maiduguri and surrounding towns.
Amadu explained that the championship was aimed at testing and shaping the intelligence and professional capacity of the Nigerian Army officers and soldiers as well as equipment.
The full text of Ahmadu’s press briefing is presented below:
1.Ladies and gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, you are welcome to Theatre Command HQ Conference Room for the press briefing that will kick start the 5-day event of the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) 2017 and fire power demonstration at Sambisa Forest in Borno State from Monday 27 to Friday 31 March 2017.
2.The Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition otherwise known as NASAC, is part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army scheduled for 2017. It is a competition among the formations of the Nigerian Army. The objective of the Championship is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the Nigerian Army personnel. The formations will be competing in marksmanship with the best formation carting away the prestigious Chief of Army Staff’s trophy.
3.Additionally, the NASAC 2017 is designed to consolidate on the total defeat and routing out of the Boko Haram terrorists from their operational headquarters at Camp Zero in Sambisa Forest. Furthermore, the championship will also mark the commencement of the on-going plan to move speedily and make the Sambisa forest general area safe for habitation and subsequently make it an area for the Nigerian Army training activities. To this end, provision has already been made for the opening of more roads, construction of culverts and bridges by the Nigerian Army Engineers to facilitate easy movements to the general area. The NASAC 2017 is unique with the introduction of Nigerian Army fire power demonstration as part of the activities. This would enable Nigerian Army to test its armoured tanks, infantry weapons and artillery guns as well as various weapons in its inventory to enhance battle marksmanship and professionalism of its personnel.
4. There is no gain saying that the small arms championship is set to be another epoch making event that would further emphasize the Nigerian Army’s effort and resolve in meeting and sustaining the constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to peace and security in various parts of our dear country. In this regard, the general public especially the residents of Borno state are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being will continue to be guaranteed. However, the general public is requested to remain on high alert and be security conscious, as insurgents fleeing from military operations in the North East have started infiltrating to hibernate amidst innocent communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action.
5.Gentlemen of the press you have always been partners in progress hence we are using this opportunity to request you to give this historic training championship (NASAC 2017) widest publicity in your respective media outlet to enhance its successful hosting. On this note, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army thank you all for your esteemed presence. I will now take questions from you and clarify doubts if any.
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