UK to support Nigeria to help combat Boko Haram

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the UK will bolster training in Nigeria to help its armed forces combat Boko Haram.

The commitment was announced during a visit with President Buhari and senior government officials and involves a number of new measures including: an intention to more than double the number of British personnel deployed on training tasks in Nigeria in the coming year, with up to 300 expected to provide support during 2016; the deployment of a specialist team to provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice; and a new RAF training team to improve the knowledge and skills of the Nigerian Air Force in airfield defence and counter insurgency.

Fallon said: “Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians. We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat them.

“Stepping up our training efforts will help support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for crucial counter-insurgency operations.”

During the visit, Fallon discussed Nigeria’s security challenges and the status of the bilateral UK-Nigeria Defence relationship with President Buhari and Defence Minister Dan Ali.

Overall, around 130 UK military personnel have been deployed to Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks in 2015. Such tasks included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media operations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

All together, 1,000 Nigerian military personnel benefited from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in north east Nigeria. Furthermore, the training supports work already being carried out by the UK’s resident British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT).