Nigerian Navy trains 500 personnel on small arms handling
The Flag Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, on Tuesday flagged-off the training of 500 naval personnel on a three-day Small Arms Firing Exercise (SAFEX) for naval operatives in the Lagos area.
The training exercise which is taking place at the Nigerian Army shooting range at 192 Battalion, Owode in Ogun State, aims to equip the personnel with confidence and control to prevent cases of accidental discharge.
In his address, Gbassa said that the exercise, which is yearly, aimed at improving professionalism in weapons handling and build confidence of the operatives in defending the country.
He explained that due to the novel Covid-19 pandemic, the command was unable to hold SAFEX in 2020, while stating the gains of the exercise, that hopeful, participants would have improved skills, be better disciplined and there would be a reduction in the number of accidents.
“The exercise forms part of individual and group training packages and it has in the past afforded the Navy the opportunity of identifying marksmen for inter-command and inter-service competitions.
“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. It is also part of inculcating discipline in the men,” Gbassa said.
He also disclosed that the participants who were drawn from all units and establishments under the command passed through very structured and rigorous selection processes to take part in the training.
