The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has completed a two-day Field Training Exercise (FTX) focusing on ambush and counter-ambush operations to enhance security within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its surrounding border communities.
The exercise, held at General O. A. Azazi Barracks, Gwagwalada, and along the Rafin Zurfi–Ibua axis, was aimed at improving the combat readiness and tactical efficiency of troops in responding to emerging security threats.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Captain Odunola Olawuyi, the training was part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security through continuous, realistic drills across formations.
She quoted the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, as saying that the exercise was in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s directive to enhance operational preparedness through regular training.
“This exercise is not just a routine drill but a deliberate initiative to sharpen the field efficiency of our troops,” Onasanya said. “It is designed to improve their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to ambush situations, surprise attacks, and other unconventional warfare tactics often used by non-state actors.”
Onasanya added that the exercise underscores the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s commitment to “continuous training as a core component of his command philosophy to meet the demands of modern warfare.”
Olawuyi explained that the two-day training featured both classroom lectures and practical field exercises, including tactical deployment, engagement manoeuvres, and counter-ambush responses.
“During the field phase, troops demonstrated their ability to respond to enemy contact, neutralise threats, and carry out immediate rescue operations under simulated combat conditions,” she said.
Military observers have described the exercise as a proactive step towards ensuring the safety of the FCT and its environs amid rising concerns over insecurity extending from the North-Central region.
The Guards Brigade, which is tasked with protecting the nation’s capital, key government assets, and the Presidential Villa, has in recent months intensified its operational readiness through regular simulation exercises and field operations.
According to Onasanya, “The training reinforces the Brigade’s resolve to maintain a high level of alertness and operational competence necessary to safeguard Abuja and its border communities.”
The successful conclusion of the exercise, analysts say, reflects the Nigerian Army’s broader strategy to fortify the FCT against potential security threats and sustain peace in the nation’s seat of power.
