The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West (Operation Hadarin Daji), Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has charged graduates of Exercise Shining Star and the Sniper Training Cadre Course to apply their newly acquired skills decisively in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across the North West.
General Ajose gave the charge during the graduation ceremony of 147 soldiers who completed an intensive eight-week training programme at the Division’s Training School. He emphasized that the training was designed to build lethal precision and combat readiness, urging participants to adopt the “one bullet, one kill” mindset in real operations.
“This training is not for show or demonstration; it is to equip you with life-saving skills critical to your duties,” the GOC stated, commending the graduands for their resilience and exceptional performance. “At 8 Division, we train hard to fight easy. Failure is not an option your mission is to neutralize threats effectively.”
He urged the soldiers to return to their units and share the advanced tactics learned during the course, noting that the Division has intensified anti-banditry operations across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina States.
General Ajose also cautioned against drug abuse and unprofessional conduct, warning that such behavior undermines operational readiness.
He reminded troops that fear was a natural emotion but must never be managed through substance misuse.
Earlier, the Acting Division Training Officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Ezebuche, described the exercise as a rigorous and realistic combat simulation that tested endurance, teamwork, command, and control. Participants were drawn from formations within the Division’s Area of Responsibility, including 1 Brigade (Zamfara), 17 Brigade (Katsina), and 8 Division Garrison (Sokoto).
The graduation ceremony, which followed a campfire night, featured tactical demonstrations, the presentation of certificates and awards to outstanding participants, and a group photograph to commemorate the soldiers’ achievements.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, confirmed the event took place on 4 October 2025.