Nigerian Army Sends 600 Soldiers to India for Specialised Training

The Nigerian Army is sending 600 soldiers to India for specialised training in jungle and mountain warfare to improve their ability to operate in difficult combat environments.

The first group of 300 troops left Abuja on Thursday, October 22, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 transport plane and an Airbus A321. The remaining personnel are expected to travel to India once arrangements are completed.

The Army disclosed the deployment in a statement issued on Friday by its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the statement, the programme is designed to strengthen soldiers’ operational skills in challenging terrains and improve the military’s ability to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Major General UG Yusuf, Coordinator of the Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team at Army Headquarters, represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the departure ceremony. India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria was also present.

Anele said the initiative reflected the Army leadership’s efforts to develop a more professional and combat-ready force capable of confronting terrorism, insurgency and other criminal activities, particularly in forests and mountainous regions.

She added that the training would deepen defence cooperation between Nigeria and India while improving the military’s capacity to protect lives, property and national sovereignty.

The deployment forms part of the Army’s broader efforts to improve personnel readiness and equip troops with the skills required to operate effectively across different types of terrain.