By Nkechi Eze
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has charged soldiers who successfully completed the Exercise Shining Star and Sniper Training Cadre Course to put their new skills to decisive use against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace in the North West.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 147 soldiers who underwent eight weeks of rigorous training at the Division’s Training School in Sokoto, Major General Ajose urged the troops to adopt the principle of “one bullet, one kill,” stressing that the training was not meant for show or ceremonial display, but to provide lifesaving skills critical to their mission in the field.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the GOC commended the graduating soldiers for their discipline, resilience, and remarkable performance during the intensive training. He described their achievement as evidence of the Division’s ethos of “train hard to fight easy,” noting that the culture of excellence must continue to define their operational conduct.
General Ajose emphasized the importance of applying the training in real-life scenarios, reminding the graduates that the Division does not accommodate failure. “Your mission is clear: neutralize threats effectively and make your training count,” he said. He urged them to return to their respective units and demonstrate the new methods of combat to their colleagues, in order to enhance collective operational effectiveness.
He further reminded them that 8 Division has stepped up anti-banditry operations across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina States, stressing that their new skills will be crucial in ongoing and future missions.
Sounding a note of caution, the GOC warned the soldiers against drug abuse, substance misuse, and all forms of unprofessional conduct, which he said undermine operational readiness. “It is normal for every human to feel fear, but as soldiers, you must overcome fear without resorting to hard drugs. Discipline and courage are the hallmarks of a professional fighter,” he admonished.
Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Division Training Officer (DTO), Lieutenant Colonel David Ezebuche, gave an overview of the programme, noting that the graduating soldiers were drawn from formations within the 8 Division’s Area of Responsibility, including 1 Brigade (Zamfara), 17 Brigade (Katsina), and 8 Division Garrison (Sokoto). He highlighted that the soldiers were subjected to rigorous field exercises, endurance drills, live-fire practices, and tactical simulations designed to mirror real battlefield conditions. He added that the training not only sharpened their combat effectiveness but also reinforced teamwork, command, and control, essential elements for survival and success in combat operations.
The graduation ceremony, which was preceded by a lively campfire night, was attended by formation commanders, principal staff officers, officers, soldiers, and members of the barracks community. The event featured field demonstrations by the graduating soldiers, the presentation of certificates, and awards for outstanding performance. It concluded with group photographs capturing the proud moments of the soldiers’ hard-earned achievements and their readiness to deploy the skills acquired in the defence of the nation.
