Army Deploys 600 Soldiers to India for Jungle, Mountain Warfare Training

The Nigerian Army has commenced the deployment of 600 personnel to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training aimed at strengthening troops’ combat capabilities in challenging terrains.

The first batch of 300 soldiers departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft — a C-17 and an Airbus A321.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the exercise was designed to improve troops’ operational effectiveness and enhance the Army’s capacity to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

According to the statement, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, initiated the deployment as part of efforts to build a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of confronting terrorists, insurgents and other criminal groups operating in forests, mountainous areas and other difficult environments.

The Coordinator of the Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Major General UG Yusuf, who represented the COAS, witnessed the departure alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.

The Army said the specialised training aligns with Shaibu’s command philosophy, which prioritises operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and enhanced combat readiness.

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It added that the programme would further strengthen defence cooperation between Nigeria and India while reinforcing the Army’s determination to maintain a resilient and mission-ready force capable of defending the country’s sovereignty and protecting lives and property.

The statement further disclosed that arrangements were underway to transport the remaining 300 personnel to India to complete the deployment.