600 Nigerian soldiers to train in jungle and mountain warfare in India; first batch of 300 leaves Abuja

Nigeria has decided to send 600 of its soldiers to India. They will receive specialised training in jungle and mountain warfare, that is, fighting in forested and hilly terrain. The initiative is expected to strengthen the bilateral and military ties between India and Nigeria.

The Indian Army is known not just as a large force but as one that wins in extremely difficult, remote and adverse conditions. Nigeria wants to draw on this combat skill and long experience.

Followers of both Islam and Christianity, the two major religions, live together in Nigeria. But for the past few years the country has been grappling with internal security challenges. Several rebel groups, bandits and terrorist organisations are fighting with weapons. To preserve the country's territorial integrity and protect its citizens, the Nigerian Army is sending its soldiers to India to learn the best combat practices in the world.

Under this programme, the first batch of 300 soldiers left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, for India on Thursday, October 22. The soldiers were brought on two large Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster and an Airbus A321. The 300 soldiers of the first phase have reached India. Preparations to bring the remaining 300 soldiers soon on a special aircraft are in the final stage.

India's High Commissioner to Nigeria was present at the departure. Major General U. G. Yusuf, coordinator of the Nigerian Army's training advisory group, was also there. He handled the arrangements for the whole event on behalf of Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu. Officials of the two countries held a good discussion on mutual cooperation and security as the soldiers were seen off.

Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Nigerian Army's official spokesperson, said the special training is a mark of the Army chief's vision and commitment. According to her, the aim is for the Nigerian Army to become more professional, be able to adapt to any situation and remain always ready for real combat.

Fighting in jungle and mountains calls for a strategy quite different from fighting on open ground. Indian Army experts will teach the soldiers how to attack the enemy amid difficulties such as very dense undergrowth, steep ascents and descents, and changing weather.

Many rebel and criminal groups in Nigeria use the country's remote forests as safe havens. The Indian Army's counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism techniques are regarded as among the best in the world. With this training, Nigerian soldiers will be able to enter the jungle, locate the enemy accurately and wipe it out.

In an official statement issued on Friday, Colonel Anele said the initiative would deepen and broaden bilateral defence cooperation between India and Nigeria. She said defending national sovereignty, preserving the country's territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of citizens are the Nigerian Army's main responsibilities, and that this training would be a very important step in that direction.