The Nigerian Army is sending 600 personnel to India for specialised training designed to improve military operations in forests and mountainous terrain. The initiative is intended to prepare troops for challenging environments where conventional combat skills may not be sufficient to confront terrorists, insurgents and other armed groups.

The first group of 300 soldiers left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, 2026. They travelled aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321, as the Army began the deployment.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the programme would strengthen soldiers’ combat proficiency in difficult terrain. She added that the training was part of efforts to improve the Army’s capacity to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The departure was witnessed by Major General UG Yusuf, Coordinator of the Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team under the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training. He represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the airport ceremony, alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.

According to Anele, the training reflects the Army leadership’s focus on developing troops who can adapt to demanding operational conditions. Forests, mountainous areas and other difficult landscapes can present distinct challenges for military personnel carrying out security operations.

The programme is also aimed at strengthening the Army’s ability to respond to threats posed by terrorists, insurgents and other criminal groups operating in such environments. However, the statement did not provide details of the specific training locations in India, the duration of the programme or the schedule for the remaining 300 personnel.

The deployment marks a further step in Nigeria’s efforts to build a professional and combat-ready military through specialised training. The Army says the objective is to equip its personnel with skills that can improve operational effectiveness and support the protection of the country’s borders and territorial integrity.