By John Moses
The Nigerian Armed Forces are set to deploy 800 specially trained troops into operational theatres across the country in a renewed effort to tackle the country’s mounting security challenges.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, during the 2025 Defence Training Conference held in Abuja. The conference, themed “Performance-Oriented Training and Trends in the Contemporary Operating Environment,” aimed to address the shifting demands of modern warfare and strategic readiness.
“Next week, we will be graduating the first batch of 800 special forces trained to respond comprehensively to the current security threats,” General Musa stated. “Unlike past deployments, these troops will be deployed as a cohesive unit to preserve their operational synergy and effectiveness.”
He noted that fragmenting elite units had proven less effective, adding that a united and integrated deployment would ensure soldiers understand and support one another in combat environments.
Musa underscored the urgency of the military’s strategic shift, pointing to a complex mix of threats now facing Nigeria. These include terrorism, insurgency, cyber warfare, hybrid warfare tactics, and the spread of advanced weaponry, as well as artificial intelligence and autonomous defence systems.
“The enemy we face is desperate and unconventional—one who has nothing to lose,” Musa warned. “Our training must evolve accordingly, preparing troops for emerging threats rather than outdated battle scenarios.”
He also called for stronger collaboration across the armed services and with other national security agencies, stressing that no single unit can singlehandedly address the scale of the threats.
Earlier, Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima, said the conference was designed to promote synergy, enhance professionalism, and adapt military training to reflect the realities of modern and hybrid warfare.
He emphasised the integration of simulation-based learning, advanced joint unit structures, and the cultivation of officers capable of operating with agility in both domestic and international environments.
