The Nigerian Army has announced the relocation of its elite Special Forces Training School from Buni Yadi in northeastern Yobe State to Doma in central Nasarawa State, marking a strategic shift aimed at enhancing counterterrorism readiness. Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, revealed the move during a foundation-laying ceremony for new facilities at the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, framing it as part of broader efforts to modernize military training infrastructure.
Oluyede emphasized the relocation would provide a more “ideal environment” to equip personnel with advanced skills for “dynamic and evolving security threats.” He described the relocated institution as a future “beacon of excellence,” tasked with molding special forces into a globally competitive, “unconquerable” unit. The move aligns with his stated priority since assuming office to elevate training standards, ensuring troops can “compete favorably with counterparts anywhere in the world.”
The ceremony doubled as a rallying call to personnel, with the army chief urging special forces to remain undeterred in operations across Nigeria’s conflict zones. “Nothing should shake your will to fight,” Oluyede declared, demanding unwavering commitment until missions conclude. He concurrently promised sustained focus on welfare programs for military families, linking morale to operational effectiveness.
Strategic acknowledgments highlighted the political dimensions of the shift. Oluyede thanked President Bola Tinubu and Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule for supporting counterinsurgency efforts, underscoring the state’s growing role in national security architecture. Maj.-Gen. Hilary Nzan, 4 Special Forces Commander, reinforced this narrative, calling the training school a “milestone” that would boost operational efficiency in tackling banditry, terrorism, and communal violence.
The new facilities in Doma are projected to address systemic challenges faced by Nigeria’s overstretched security forces, including insufficient training infrastructure and evolving asymmetric warfare tactics. While the army did not disclose a relocation timeline or budget specifics, officials framed the investment as critical to long-term stability. Nzan pledged “responsible ownership” of the upgraded base, vowing to leverage its resources for improved combat readiness as Nigeria confronts multifaceted security crises.
