The UK government has donated non-lethal military equipment worth N1 billion (£450,000) to the Nigerian Armed Forces to bolster efforts against non-state actors.
This donation was announced by the UK High Commission in Abuja, highlighting the enhanced partnership between the British Military and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The equipment aims to support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against violent extremist organisations, particularly in the northeast region of the country.
The UK High Commission noted that this donation complements a significant package of training courses being delivered by the British Military.
Currently, a team of 20 personnel from the British Army is stationed in Maiduguri, where they are conducting a course aimed at enhancing critical skills necessary for continued operations against extremist groups in the region.
The equipment was officially handed over to Major General Wahidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), during a ceremony in Maiduguri.
At the event, Colonel Martin Leach, the Deputy Head of British Defence Staff (West Africa) and Commander of British Military Training Teams in Nigeria, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against violent extremist organisations in the northeast.
“The UK stands with Nigeria in the continued fight against violent extremist organisations in the North East,” Leach stated.
In addition to the equipment donation, the UK will deliver seven further courses between now and February 2025, focusing on training Nigerian Army personnel in the specialist skills required for future operations in the region.
UK personnel are currently attached to the Theatre Counter-IED Coordination Cell in Maiduguri, collaborating with Nigerian counterparts to develop intelligence on terror networks responsible for attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that have targeted both civilians and military personnel.
