Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its military capacity and counter-terrorism capabilities following a landmark defence collaboration with Turkey to train 200 Nigerian Special Forces personnel, a development widely described by security experts as a strategic milestone in the country’s battle against insurgency and banditry.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Sokoto State on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmed Abdul Hassan, praised the initiative, describing the agreement brokered by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, as a bold and timely move capable of redefining Nigeria’s military preparedness against evolving security threats.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Sokoto, the retired colonel noted that the partnership with Turkey demonstrates Nigeria’s growing commitment to adopting global best practices in military training and strengthening international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised armed violence.
“This initiative represents a strategic and timely intervention in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry and other asymmetric security threats confronting the nation,” Hassan said.
According to him, modern security challenges driven largely by non-state actors require highly specialised skills, advanced tactical training and adaptive operational capabilities beyond the scope of conventional military approaches.
He explained that the decision to invest in elite Special Forces training would significantly strengthen the operational effectiveness of Nigerian Armed Forces and enhance their ability to respond swiftly to complex security threats across different regions of the country.
“For years, security experts and stakeholders have consistently advocated the expansion of well-trained Special Forces units to address unconventional warfare and other emerging threats,” he noted.
Hassan also emphasised the need for the Nigerian Army Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi to be fully reactivated and strengthened to function at optimal operational capacity.
According to him, revitalising the brigade would provide a structured and institutional framework for training, deployment and coordination of elite forces dedicated to specialised counter insurgency missions nationwide.
He added that the nature of insurgency and banditry in Nigeria demands precision-driven, intelligence-based operations supported by advanced technology and unconventional battlefield strategies.
“Without such capabilities, the nation risks continued loss of personnel and limited success in confronting highly mobile and unpredictable armed groups,” he warned.
The security adviser further noted that international defence cooperation, such as the partnership with Turkey, reflects a growing global recognition that security challenges like terrorism, violent extremism and transnational criminal networks require collaborative responses among nations.
He, however, stressed that while the training agreement is commendable and forward-looking, capacity building must be accompanied by improved welfare packages for Nigerian security personnel to sustain morale and operational commitment.
Hassan concluded by urging the Federal Government to sustain investments in modern training, intelligence infrastructure and welfare support, noting that strengthening the nation’s elite forces would not only enhance Nigeria’s internal security but also reinforce its role in regional and international peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts.
