Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
The Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Bamidele Ogunkale has said as the military continues to record geometric progress in her effort to wipe out Boko Haram in the North-east geo-political zone, para-military agencies are being prepared as well to assume their constitutional role the zone.
Ogunkale, in a statement issued yesterday by the Corporation’s Public Relations Officer, Major Emmanuel Adeniyi, made the remark during the graduation ceremony of five Customs Personnel who participated in Armourer’s course at DICON’s Training school, Kakuri, Kaduna state.
According to him, the importance of Armourer Course for paramilitary agencies that were authorised to carry of arms and ammunition cannot be over-emphasised as it was their prerogative to ensure the security of arms and ammunition in their custody.
He added that “their agencies would always look unto them for guide on arms and ammunition related matter, as they had been well groomed in the course”.
He said: “Arms storage is a very sensitive issue both in the military and para-military and I am quite impressed with the curriculum packaged by DICON Training School in line with best international standard.
“I am quite satisfied that the graduating students have been given enough practical exposure in DICON’s shooting range, knowing that each student was given the opportunity to handle different calibre of weapons, which they expended many rounds of ammunition with during the period, not minding the cost effect.”
Ogunkale who said he was also impressed with the performance of the participants both in theory and practice judging from the report made available to him, urged them to keep up the good report and be ready to make good use of the knowledge acquired at DICON Training School, as they go back to their various Units.
“We wish to see more Customs officers and other para-military agencies who are authorised to carry arms come to DICON Training School because we have the best facilities for effective service delivery in the areas of such training,” he added.
The Director General recalled that DICON Training School had recently graduated Federal Road Safety Personnel who also came out with impressive results.
