The Nigerian Army’s 8 Division has trained and certified 27 drone pilots in a move aimed at boosting intelligence gathering and improving operational effectiveness in ongoing security missions across the North West.
Details of the development were shared on Friday via the Division’s official X account, where the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 8 Division and Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, confirmed that the graduation ceremony took place at the Division Training School, Giginya Military Cantonment in Kaduna.
The event, he noted, represents a significant step in the Army’s adoption of modern technology within Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Speaking at the ceremony, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander of Sector 2, Joint Task Force (North West), Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, emphasized the growing importance of technology in contemporary military operations, particularly in enhancing troop safety and effectiveness.
“The integration of drones into our operations is no longer optional; it is a necessity,” Koughna said.
“The true strength of any military force lies not just in acquiring advanced equipment, but in effectively integrating them into our operational systems.”
He explained that unmanned aerial vehicles provide troops with improved situational awareness, reduce operational risks, and enhance decision-making on the battlefield.
“The use of drones allows us to scout ahead, conserve resources, and reduce unnecessary exposure of our personnel to danger,” he added
Earlier, the Course Coordinator, Captain Samuel Yakubu, described the training programme as a strategic initiative designed to improve frontline capabilities through technology.
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This training was a visionary initiative aimed at giving our troops eyes in the sky,” Yakubu said. “It has significantly enhanced the operational effectiveness of personnel across different formations within the Division’s area of responsibility.”
According to him, “27 personnel drawn from various units under the Division participated in the rigorous training programme, which combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises.”
Throughout the course, participants received hands-on and classroom-based instruction covering drone navigation using offline maps, assembling and dismantling aircraft, setting up ground control stations, and conducting surveillance and aerial imaging operations.
They were also trained in takeoff and landing procedures, tactical manoeuvres, and precision landing techniques.
The programme concluded with a live demonstration, where the newly trained pilots displayed their skills in surveillance hovering, gimbal control, aircraft handling, and precise coordinate tracking. Their performance drew praise from senior officers present at the event.
At the close of the ceremony, the GOC decorated the graduates with their pilot wings and rewarded top-performing participants with cash prizes in recognition of their excellence during the training.