The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has charged the graduates of Exercise SHINING STAR and the Sniper Training Cadre Course to apply their newly acquired combat skills decisively in ongoing operations against terrorists and bandits.
The GOC gave the charge during the graduation ceremony of 147 soldiers who completed an intensive eight-week training programme at the Division’s Training School.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Major General Ajose commended the graduates for their exceptional performance, discipline, and resilience throughout the course. He emphasized that the training was not a mere display of marksmanship but a vital preparation for real battlefield engagements.
“Our culture in 8 Division is to train hard so we can fight easy,” the GOC stated. “This training is meant to enhance your precision and effectiveness in combat—one bullet, one kill. The Division does not accommodate failure; your mission is to neutralize threats and defend the nation with professionalism and courage.”
General Ajose urged the soldiers to return to their respective units and share the knowledge and skills gained with their colleagues, noting that 8 Division has intensified anti-banditry operations across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina States.
While commending their courage, he cautioned against drug abuse, substance misuse, and any form of indiscipline, stressing that such acts undermine operational efficiency. “Fear is natural, but it must be managed through training and discipline, not through the use of hard drugs,” he warned.
Earlier, the Acting Division Training Officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Ezebuche, described the course as rigorous and comprehensive. He explained that participants were drawn from formations under the Division’s Area of Responsibility, including 1 Brigade (Zamfara), 17 Brigade (Katsina), and 8 Division Garrison (Sokoto).
According to him, the training featured endurance exercises, field maneuvers, live-fire drills, and tactical simulations designed to mirror real combat conditions. The programme, he said, was aimed at strengthening teamwork, command, and control—key elements for survival and mission success in modern warfare.
The graduation ceremony, which followed a campfire night held earlier, was attended by formation commanders, principal staff officers, officers, soldiers, and members of the barracks community. The event featured field demonstrations, certificate presentations, and awards for outstanding participants. It concluded with group photographs to commemorate the soldiers’ accomplishments and their readiness to contribute to the Division’s ongoing operations.