The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged personnel of the newly established Nigerian Army Airborne School to remain highly skilled and mission-ready.

Shaibu gave the charge on Friday while unveiling the school at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Friday in Abuja.

He said the institution represented a strategic investment in capability development and would strengthen the Army’s capacity to rapidly deploy specialised forces for demanding operations.

The COAS said the changing character of warfare and sophistication of asymmetric threats required highly trained, adaptable personnel capable of operating in diverse and challenging environments.

He described airborne and special operations capabilities as critical to modern military operations, particularly counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other asymmetric security operations.

Shaibu tasked the Commandant and instructors to develop and continually refine rigorous, operationally relevant training curricula that reflected global best practices and Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

He said the school would serve as a centre of excellence for airborne operations, parachuting, air assault and other specialised military skills.

According to him, the institution would enhance combat readiness, operational flexibility and the Army’s capacity to rapidly project trained forces for joint and multi-agency operations.

The COAS assured the school of continued support from Army Headquarters through the provision of infrastructure, equipment and manpower to enable it discharge its mandate effectively.

He said the initiative aligned with ongoing efforts to build a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army capable of discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Airborne School, Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Usman, said the institution was upgraded from a wing of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, to a full-fledged school.

Usman said the upgrade was driven by the Army’s ongoing force development efforts and the need to strengthen specialised capabilities.

He said the development was particularly important for capabilities required to complement the operational employment of Nigerian Army Aviation.