Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Plateau Command, has conducted a three-week extensive weapon handling training for 1,500 officers of the command.

State Commandant, Solomon Olasupo, said this at the passing out parade of the command’s armed trained personnel on Wednesday in Jos.

Olasupo said the officers underwent extensive training on weapon handling, arms drills, combat craft, range classification and exercise.

This training will enhance the Corps capacity to meet the demands of their duties, like protection of government infrastructure, power transmission lines and bring to the barest, the issues of oil pipeline vandalism.

The survival of our democratic government is rooted in sound economic development and sound economic development cannot be attained in a situation of economic sabotage and vandalism.

The Corps is bent on putting a final stop to power transmission lines and oil pipeline vandalism which is rampant in the country.

The training of the officers has led to the formation of a formidable armed squad for Plateau Command of the Corps,’’ he said.

Olasupo said that the armed squad in unison with other security agencies in the state would boost security surveillance and minimise the crime rate in the state.

The commandant cautioned the trained officers against unlawful use of their arms as anyone involved in the case of “accidental discharge” would be severely dealt with.

He also called on members of the armed squad not to violate safety rules relating to arms handling and to follow all the laid down and approved standards necessary for effective handling and use of arms.