The United Kingdom sends 35 military personnel to train Nigeria soldiers

The United Kingdom has deployed 35 military personnel in Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to train Nigerian Armed Forces to combat the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The personnel, who were drawn from the Second Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, would provide infantry training for Nigerian soldiers to tackle the extremist group in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

A statement by the Press and Public Relations Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Joe Abuku, on Wednesday in Abuja, said the number of British personnel deployed on training tasks in Nigeria was expected to reach 300.

The personnel are also expected to provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice.

The Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, had earlier announced a step up in training to help Nigerian forces to stamp out the threat posed by Boko Haram.

The statement said a new RAF training team to improve the knowledge and skills of the Nigerian Air Force in airfield defence and counter-insurgency, would also be provided.

It said that the 2 RANGLIAN, based in Cottesmore, Rutland, had provided support for the military, adding that the 130 personnel deployed in Nigeria in 2015, performed a wide range of tasks.

These, he said, included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media relations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

The statement partly read, “Almost 1,000 Nigerian Army personnel had benefitted from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, and the work by 2 RANGLIAN, known as The Poachers, is now well-recognised across the AFN.

“The UK also supports a Nigerian intelligence and analysis cell focussed on the North-East and based in Abuja, and nearly 30 UK Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Nigeria on an enduring basis in training and advisory roles.”