Nigerian Army Deploys 600 Troops to India for Specialized Jungle and Mountain Warfare Training

​ABUJA — In a major strategic push to bolster combat proficiency in rugged terrains, the Nigerian Army has commenced the deployment of 600 personnel to India for intensive, specialized jungle and mountain warfare training.

​The first contingent of 300 soldiers departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard two Indian Air Force transport aircraft: a C-17 and an Airbus A321. According to Army authorities, logistical arrangements are already underway to airlift the remaining 300 personnel to complete the deployment.

​Strengthening Operational Readiness

​Speaking on the initiative, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, stated that the specialized training is designed to sharpen troop effectiveness in difficult, complex topographies.

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​The program directly supports the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, which prioritizes realistic training, operational effectiveness, personnel development, and enhanced combat readiness against asymmetric threats.

​”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,” the statement read.

​Diplomatic and Military Partnership

​The departure ceremony at the international airport was marked by high-level diplomatic and military representation. Major General U.G. Yusuf, Coordinator of the Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team at the Department of Army Training, represented the Chief of Army Staff at the event. He was joined by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, highlighting the deepening bilateral defence cooperation between both nations.

​Military analysts note that equipping troops with specialized tactical skills for mountainous and jungle environments is vital for neutralizing entrenched criminal syndicates and terrorist enclaves operating across difficult geographical corridors in Nigeria.