Government officials and defense specialists are pushing for the establishment of modern shooting ranges aimed at improving marksmanship and operational efficiency in Nigeria.
This initiative was recently discussed during the National and Regional Defence Shooting Range Development Workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Experts at the workshop pointed out that contemporary shooting ranges are significantly more complex than traditional counterparts. They noted that such facilities necessitate meticulous planning, the incorporation of advanced safety protocols, ballistic containment strategies, environmental management, and sustainable operational frameworks.
During the event, Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (Rtd) underlined the importance of modern shooting ranges as essential elements of national security infrastructure rather than mere supplementary assets.
Represented by Air Vice Marshal Amos Bulus (Rtd), the Minister stated that the evolution of defense infrastructure extends beyond mere technological advancements, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts and a progressive mindset towards improvement.
He articulated that shooting ranges are crucial for the professional growth of military personnel.
"These are environments where discipline is reinforced, self-assurance is cultivated, and the likelihood of operational mistakes is significantly minimized before personnel are exposed to real hazards," he expressed.
He further elaborated that today's shooting ranges transcend simple target practice; they are intricate systems requiring careful design, comprehensive safety measures, environmental stewardship, and a well-structured management approach over their lifespan.
The Minister cautioned that inadequately planned or poorly maintained ranges could hinder training goals, waste resources, and risk personnel safety.
Conversely, well-constructed facilities are instrumental in enhancing training efficacy, bolstering safety standards, and ensuring long-term readiness of the forces.
Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), described shooting ranges as controlled environments where safety, discipline, and accuracy merge.
"When expertly designed and managed, these ranges provide essential platforms for improving marksmanship, tactical exercises, weapons handling, and skill retention," he mentioned.
He emphasized that the development of modern ranges necessitates focused attention to areas such as ballistic containment, environmental controls, indoor air quality, sound reduction, structural resilience, and maintenance planning over the lifecycle of the ranges.
Additionally, Ibrahim Garba, Managing Director of DICON Gray Insignia Ltd, indicated that the workshop aimed to establish common standards and bolster operational outcomes across Nigeria’s security landscape.
Garba recognized that threat landscapes are evolving from conventional battlefields into urban and rural settings, emphasizing the urgent need for training facilities that reflect the current security environment.
He noted that discussions during the workshop included assessing trends in modern warfare, diverse types of shooting ranges, associated costs, lifecycle factors, and the broader context of West Africa and ECOWAS, ultimately seeking to create a roadmap tailored to Nigeria's sustained development of shooting ranges.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!