By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has stepped up efforts to deny terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements safe havens in forests, mountainous areas and other difficult terrains with the deployment of 600 personnel to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training.
The initiative, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is aimed at strengthening troops’ combat proficiency, improving operational manoeuvrability and enhancing the Army’s capacity to tackle security threats across the country.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the first batch of 300 personnel departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321.
The departure was witnessed by the Coordinator, Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Major General UG Yusuf, who represented the COAS, alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.
The statement said the specialised training reflected Shaibu’s determination to build a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of operating effectively in challenging environments where terrorists and other criminal groups often seek refuge.
It added that the programme aligned with the COAS’s Command Philosophy, which prioritises operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and enhanced combat readiness.
The training is expected to equip the personnel with advanced jungle and mountain warfare techniques, enabling them to navigate difficult terrains, improve their operational effectiveness and strengthen their capacity to deny criminal elements safe havens.
The Army said the initiative would also reinforce Nigeria–India defence cooperation and support efforts to sustain a resilient, mission-ready force capable of defending the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting lives and property.
Arrangements are underway to airlift the remaining 300 personnel to India to complete the deployment.
