The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commenced the deployment of 600 Nigerian Army personnel to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training aimed at enhancing troops’ combat proficiency in difficult terrains and strengthening the Army’s capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, on 23 October 2026.
The first batch of 300 personnel departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, 22 October 2026, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321.
The Coordinator, Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Major General U.G. Yusuf, who represented the COAS, witnessed the departure alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.
The training underscores the COAS’s commitment to building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of confronting terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in forests, mountainous areas and other challenging environments.
It also aligns with his Command Philosophy, which prioritises operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and enhanced combat readiness.
The specialised programme is expected to equip personnel with advanced jungle and mountain warfare skills, improve operational manoeuvrability and strengthen their capacity to deny criminal elements safe havens in difficult terrains.
It will further reinforce Nigeria-India defence cooperation and the COAS’s determination to sustain a resilient, mission-ready Army capable of defending the nation’s sovereignty and protecting lives and property.
Arrangements are underway to airlift the remaining 300 personnel to India for the training.