UK Gov’t donates advanced counter insurgency training facility to Nigerian Armed Forces

The UK government has donated a state-of-the-art Counter Insurgency (COIN) training facility to the Nigerian Armed Forces to enhance the realism of their training and better prepare them for future operations.

The UK Mission in Nigeria revealed that the facility was funded by the UK through its Ministry of Defence and constructed by a team of Royal Engineers from the British Army, in collaboration with Nigerian Army Engineers. The facility is designed to provide more realistic training environments, ensuring that trainees are well-prepared for effective operations during deployments.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General SG Mohammed, officially inaugurated the facility in Ogun State. The event was also attended by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, and Brigadier Martin Leach from the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

During the ceremony, attendees witnessed a demonstration operation by the Nigerian Armed Forces, followed by a briefing to the Deputy High Commissioner on the training activities.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter said that, “The UK has deep interests in Nigeria’s development, security, and stability. We enjoy a long-standing security and defence relationship, underpinned by a shared desire to support regional and international peace and security. Our work with the Nigeria Armed Forces seeks to build capacity to address the root causes of insurgency and insecurity and support institutional modernisation and transformation.”

He went on to say that, “We provide substantial security and development support to Nigeria including capacity building assistance, training facilities and equipment. The British Government will continue to work with Nigeria to respond to the drivers of conflict and all these engagements we hope, will lead to better security, stability, and enhanced growth partnerships for the good of both our countries.”

The Deputy High Commissioner also paid tribute to the significant sacrifices made by the Nigerian soldiers in working with their counterparts to bring peace and security to the region.