The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji said it has beefed up security around the college to forestall any attack by suspected bandits currently ravaging the state.

The Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal Ebenezer Olayinka Alade who made the revelation said that the beefing up of security around the prestigious military institution was to protect the students and lecturers of the school and also prevent what happened at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from happening at the college.

AVM Alade spoke during a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Jasson Gbasa explaining that the college has put many security checks in place to forestall any attack on the college by suspected terrorists and bandits.


Air Vice Marshall Ebenezer Olayinka Alade, the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command at Staff College, Jaji, in an operational visit with AFCSC Junior course 92/2021 to Western Naval Command.

They visitation is one of their course requirements, as the students are expected to go round all the services, operational units, to know how things are done, and to enable them have direct exposure to the conduct of operations.

The Commandant further stated that the Armed Forces command and staff college is a Tri-service institution. That means the institution trains the Army, Airforce and Naval officers. Most Naval officers on this course would have definitely had this experience.

“However, for the Army and Airforce counterparts, it will be a new experience. Back then when I was on this course, I was on the high sea overnight, in the ship, and that has been my only experience on the high sea,

“Therefore as a military personnel, one must be conversant with the land, sea and air.

This experience will afford them that opportunity, so that when they become commanders sometimes in the nearest future, and there is a requirement to cooperate with a Naval counterpart, they would have had the experience of what it looks like, being a Naval officer.

On the security of the students, the Commandant stated that they are
doing a lot in that perspective and further recall the recent attack on the Nigeria Defence Academy, which is closely situated to this location.

“I was with the commandant three days ago, where we discussed the issue of the students’ security at length. There is a provision of combat patrol, and quick response group monitoring the premises. We are doing a lot in that aspect, and I cannot disclose all” Alade stated.

Speaking on the visit, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral, Jason Gbassa, stated that the Armed Forces Command and Staff College is a training ground for all career officers, where most officers have to pass through the college at least twice in their career – for both junior and senior courses”

According to Gbassa, “part of the requirement of the course is the exposure of the students to the field operating environment. Therefore the visit by the college to Western Naval Command, is to expose the students – particularly the Army and the Air Force officers to the sea at least once in their career. This is to equip them with sea experience for the times that tasks will involve joint operations within the three services”

“They will have a feel and know what it takes to ride on a ship, and all that is involved to run a ship at sea. This is basically what we are here for. Furthermore, it also goes to serve our purpose of securing and assuring a safe business environment across our sea links of communication, towards enhancing the prosperity of our nation” Gbassa concluded.