By Florence Joshua
ABUJA – The Federal Government has directed the immediate upgrade of the newly commissioned Tactical Training Ground and Obstacle Course of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), describing the facility as a major investment in strengthening the nation’s security architecture.
The directive was announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the grand commissioning of the training facility at the NSCDC FCT Command Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Represented by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the minister said the facility had exceeded expectations and deserved to be elevated to a standard comparable with the Corps’ premier training institutions.
“The Honourable Minister has directed me to begin the process of upgrading this training centre to a higher standard,” Audi announced to loud applause. “Facilities like this are usually found only in our training schools, and only one or two commands have something similar. This centre will be developed into a standard tactical training ground.”
The Commandant General commended the FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, for his vision, commitment and determination in delivering what he described as one of the finest command-level tactical training facilities in the Corps.
He said the project reflected the Command’s commitment to professionalism, operational excellence and continuous capacity development, adding that well-trained personnel remained the backbone of effective security service delivery.
Earlier, FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, described the project as the fulfilment of a long-held vision to better prepare officers and men for the evolving security challenges within the nation’s capital.
According to him, the facility was conceived from the need to strengthen operational readiness through practical, scenario-based training.
“This Tactical Training Ground is an investment in professionalism, preparedness and operational excellence. It is designed to expose our personnel to realistic operational exercises, including obstacle crossing, endurance drills, tactical movement, search and rescue operations, disaster response, combat fitness and leadership development,” he said.
Odumosu expressed profound appreciation to the Commandant General for providing strategic direction, approving the project and supporting it with tactical equipment and operational resources.
He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, as well as construction firms, corporate organisations and friends of the Corps whose contributions made the project a reality.
A major highlight of the ceremony was a live tactical demonstration by officers and men of the FCT Command.
Guests watched as personnel navigated the obstacle course with precision, carrying out endurance drills, tactical movements and coordinated command exercises that showcased their physical fitness, discipline and operational preparedness.
The practical demonstration offered dignitaries a firsthand experience of the rigorous training officers will undergo at the facility to prepare for emergency response, rescue operations and other critical security assignments.
Speaking after witnessing the demonstration, the FCT Garrison Commander praised the initiative, describing the training ground as a model worthy of emulation.
He pledged to replicate similar training infrastructure within his command to further improve the preparedness and operational effectiveness of security personnel.
The commissioning attracted senior military and security officers, government officials, development partners, traditional rulers and stakeholders from across the security sector, all of whom commended the FCT Command for delivering a facility expected to significantly boost tactical capacity and inter-agency collaboration.
With the Federal Government’s directive for its immediate upgrade, the NSCDC FCT Tactical Training Ground is expected to evolve into one of the Corps’ leading training centres, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to building a highly skilled, disciplined and operationally ready security workforce.
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