UK Donates Counter Insurgency Training Facility To Nigerian Army

The United Kingdom has donated a Counter-Insurgency (COIN) training facility to the Nigerian Armed Forces to help improve the reality of their training and better prepare the force for future operations.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer | Communications Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, the training facility was funded by the UK Ministry of Defence and built by a team of Royal Engineers from the British Army working alongside Nigerian Army Engineers. The facility will make soldiers’ training more realistic and prepare trainees to operate effectively during deployments.

On Tuesday, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was joined by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, and Brigadier Martin Leach from the UK Ministry of Defence.

According to the statement, attendees witnessed a demonstration operation conducted by the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Deputy High Commissioner was later briefed on the training demonstration.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter stated that the United Kingdom has a strong interest in Nigeria’s development, security, and stability. We have a long history of security and defence cooperation, which is based on a shared desire to promote regional and international peace and stability. Our collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces aims to strengthen capacity to address the root causes of insurgency and insecurity while also supporting institutional modernisation and transformation.

“We provide significant security and development assistance to Nigeria, including capacity building, training facilities, and equipment. The British government will continue to work with Nigeria to address conflict drivers, and we hope that all of these engagements will result in improved security, stability, and growth partnerships for the benefit of both countries.

The Deputy High Commissioner also recognised the significant sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers in collaboration with their counterparts to bring peace and security to the I’m.