AS part of efforts to assist Nigeria in the counter-insurgency campaign, the United Kingdom (UK) has approved the deployment of over 35 experts of its Royal Anglian Regiment, called 2R Anglian, to coach Nigerian troops in selected specialised areas of military tactics.

A release obtained by The Guardian yesterday in Abuja from the Press and Public Affairs Officer to the British High Commission, Joe Abuku, said: “More than 35 of the Anglians, called Poachers, from the Second Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (2R ANGLIAN), will shortly be deployed to deliver infantry training to Nigerian military personnel preparing to tackle the extremist group in the north of the country.”

He said this is a fall-out of the visit to the country by the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, last month where he promised to step up assistance to the country as they confront the insurgents and other emerging security challenges.

According to Abuku, the enhanced commitment of the Defence Secretary includes: “An intention to more than double the number of British personnel deployed on training tasks in Nigeria in the coming year, with up to 300 expected to provide support during 2016;

“The deployment of a specialist team to provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice; and a new RAF (Royal Air Force) training team to improve the knowledge and skills of the Nigerian Air Force in airfield defence and counter insurgency, which is part of the 300 personnel.”

Explaining further on the contributions of the UK to Nigeria, he said: “Around 130 UK military personnel were deployed to Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks last year. This included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media operations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

“Almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel have benefited from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in North-East of Nigeria, and the work by 2R Anglian, known as The Poachers, is now well-recognised across the AFN.

“The UK also supports a Nigerian intelligence and analysis cell focused on the North-East and based in Abuja, and nearly 30 UK Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Nigeria on an enduring basis in training and advisory roles.”