United Kingdom (UK) has donated a Counter Insurgency (COIN) training facility to Nigerian Armed Forces.
Gatekeepers News reports that UK did this to assist the country in enhancing reality of their training and better prepare the force for its future operations.
The training facility was funded by UK through its Ministry of Defence and built by a team of Royal Engineers from the British Army working alongside Nigerian Army Engineers.
Availability of Counter Insurgency (COIN) training facility will make training more realistic for soldiers and help prepare trainees to operate effectively during deployments.
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General SG Mohammed alongside British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter and Brigadier Martin Leach from UK’s Ministry of Defence officially opened the training facility on Tuesday in Ogun State.
A firsthand demonstration operation of the facility was done by Nigerian Armed Forces and Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter was subsequently briefed on the training display.
Baxter while speaking during the handover ceremony noted UK is interested in Nigeria’s development, security, and stability.
He added, “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.”
“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 paid tribute to the significant sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers in working with their counterparts to bring peace and security to the region.
