The United Kingdom has donated highly technical, non-lethal military equipment worth about N1 billion (£450,000) to the Nigerian Army, to further enhance the ongoing partnership between the British Military and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
A statement issued on Friday by the British High Commission in Abuja noted that the donation was to support Nigeria’s fight against violent extremist organisations in the North-East part of the country.
The donation of equipment complements a new and significant package of courses delivered by the British Military. A team of 20 personnel from the British Army are currently living and working in Maiduguri, Borno State, delivering a course focused on enhancing the critical skills needed for continued operations against violent extremist organisations in the Northn-East region.
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The statement disclosed that the equipment was received by the Joint Task Force North-East, JTF NE, Theatre Commander, Major General Wahidi Shaibu, at a handover ceremony in Maiduguri.
The Deputy Head of British Defence Staff (West Africa) & Commander British Military Training Teams in Nigeria.
Waidi expressed happiness over the UK’s ongoing support, which included training for Nigerian Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators and the development of a Counter-IEDs Coordination Cell at the 47 Engineer Brigade.
Waidi said that the initiatives were a clear demonstration of the British government’s commitment to complete neutralisation of IEDS threats and support their mission to restore stability in the northeast.
Colonel Martin Leach, said: “I am delighted to be here today to hand over this equipment and mark another development in the strong partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The UK stands with Nigeria in the continued fight against violent extremist organisations in the North-East.”
Seven further courses will be delivered between now and February 2025, focusing on training Nigerian Army personnel in the specialist skills required for future operations in the North-East of Nigeria.
In addition, the UK currently has personnel attached temporarily to the Theatre Counter-IED Coordination Cell in Maiduguri, working with their Nigerian counterparts to develop intelligence on the terror networks that are killing civilians and soldiers with improvised explosive devices
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