NDC Commandant Links Shooting Sports To Combat Readiness

The commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has stressed the importance of shooting sports in sharpening the precision, awareness and combat readiness of military personnel, particularly amid ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country.

Ahmed stated this at the official virtual and product launch of the National Integrated Shooting Sport Platform (NISSP) by the Nigeria Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF), in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said shooting should not be regarded merely as a sport but as an important military skill that must be regularly practised and perfected by personnel.

He said, “Shooting is a sport. It increases your awareness; it increases your precision.” .

Ahmed said the country’s security challenges, particularly insurgency, makes it imperative for military personnel to maintain proficiency in traditional military skills such as marksmanship.

He added, “And you know the country is fighting insurgency. The essence is for us to always keep in touch with our traditional military sports, to perfect our fighting skills, especially shooting.”

The Commandant urged participants to sustain the skills acquired during the competition after completing their course, stressing the need for continuous practice and readiness to respond effectively whenever required.

“So I expect them, after they leave this place, to continue to practise, so that at the order ‘go’, you understand? Perfect it,” he said.

He also disclosed that the NDC was strengthening its partnership with the Nigeria Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF), describing the collaboration as a strategic initiative that would extend beyond the immediate competition.

He said the college had previously participated in other sporting activities, but identified the NSSF as the most suitable.