The Nigerian Army has deployed the first batch of 300 personnel to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training, as part of a programme expected to involve 600 soldiers.
The personnel departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321. The remaining 300 personnel are expected to travel in a subsequent deployment, according to reports on the operation.
The training is intended to improve the soldiers’ ability to operate in difficult terrain, including forests and mountainous areas where movement, visibility and operational conditions can present significant challenges.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the programme was designed to strengthen troops’ combat proficiency and improve the Nigerian Army’s capacity to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
Major General Umar Yusuf, who represented the Chief of Army Staff at the departure ceremony, witnessed the movement alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria. Yusuf is identified in reports of the deployment as a coordinator within the Army’s military training structure.
The training forms part of broader efforts to develop personnel capable of operating in different environments and responding to security threats. The Nigerian military continues to confront terrorism, insurgency and other criminal activities in various parts of the country, including attacks in forested areas where specialised field skills may be required.
The Army said the initiative aligns with its emphasis on operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and combat readiness. Exposure to specialised techniques is expected to improve the troops’ adaptability and ability to undertake missions in challenging environments.
India’s participation in the programme also reflects military training cooperation between the two countries. The use of Indian Air Force aircraft to transport the first group enabled the personnel to begin the deployment process, while arrangements for moving the remaining soldiers were still underway.
The planned training of 600 personnel represents a sizeable deployment for a specialised programme, although details of its duration, specific training locations in India and the full curriculum were not included in the supplied report.
The exercise is intended to strengthen the professional capabilities of participating soldiers. Its operational value will depend on how effectively the personnel apply the skills acquired during training when they return to their assigned formations.
Deborah Adeyefa
