Insecurity: Nigerian army graduates 17 pioneer CSK men

The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully graduated their first cohort of 17 Armoured Combat Support Vehicle, CSK, Crew Members in an effort to enhance mobility and operational readiness.

The graduation ceremony, which took place at the 8 Division Training School, represented a significant milestone in the Division’s dedication to tackling contemporary security challenges.

By combining highly trained drivers with state-of-the-art combat vehicles, the Division seeks to improve tactical maneuverability and the secure transport of frontline personnel.

During his address to the graduates, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the 8 Division and Commander of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), underscored the vital importance of CSK crew members in modern combat.

He referred to the crew members as indispensable warriors, highlighting that their capability to strategically position gunners offers a tactical advantage that multiplies their effectiveness against adversaries.

He said, “Anyone can pull a trigger, but effectively engaging the enemy necessitates a crew member who can optimally position the gunner for maximum benefit.”

Major General Koughna emphasized the necessity for troops to undergo comprehensive training, both in skills and mindset, prior to being entrusted with critical combat enablers.

The GOC also pointed out the strategic importance of on-the-job training, noting that essential military skills can be effectively shared within units by seasoned personnel, thereby ensuring ongoing capacity development even beyond formal training institutions.

The GOC reiterated that specialized CSK training is now essential, rather than optional, for the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts in the North West region. He urged the graduates to effectively utilize their skills within their respective units and announced a special monthly allowance as an incentive for their newly acquired expertise.

Earlier in the ceremony, the Course Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Edidion Okonnah, detailed the demanding nature of the driving course. He clarified that the training is a forward-thinking initiative led by the GOC, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of frontline troops, improving force protection, and ensuring continuous support to formations throughout the 8 Division Area of Responsibility, AOR.

The course coordinator noted that the 17 graduating student drawn from various formations within the Division, underwent intensive theoretical and practical instruction. He said the comprehensive curriculum covered an introduction to military vehicles, CSK parts and capabilities, driving lessons 1-6, highway codes, vehicle inspection, tire changing, and combat recovery. He noted that the intensive training culminated in a dynamic practical demonstration, where the graduating drivers showcased their newly acquired precision, vehicle control and tactical awareness.