1,200 Nigerian Special Forces are receiving training in Russia
October 23, 2014 via MISNA
More than 1,200 Nigerian security personnel are in Russia receiving anti-insurgent training by Russian special forces. The trainees on return will form a nucleus of the special forces brigade to in particular combat the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The majority of the personnel chosen for training are from the elite groups of the army, the police and intelligence services. Training courses, which last four months, are taking place in an undisclosed location under strict control of Russian authorities.
Nigeria’s Defence ministry confirmed the training program after the last group was photographed leaving Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport on September 25. The ministry also announced that the special anti-insurgent forces will be deployed in the States of Borno and Adamawa.
Apart from Russian training for its special forces, the Nigerian Army is looking for funds to purchase at least three advanced surveillance aircraft from the Czech Republic. Czech ambassador to Nigeria Pavel Mikes confirmed that the two countries agreed on the details of the purchase of up to three surveillance aircraft of unspecified make. Nigeria is also set to acquire 12 Mil Mi-35 helicopters from a Belarusian state-owned defence equipment manufacturer.
Early this month, President Goodluck Jonathan wrote to the Nigerian Senate requesting it to approve a special allocation of $1 billion to fight terrorism.
