In a significant boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts, the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) has donated a state-of-the-art Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Training Village to the 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Training School in Owode, Ogun State. The facility was officially commissioned on August 20, 2024.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who was represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Sani Mohammed, praised the initiative, highlighting the positive impact of the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Army and BMATT. “The positive impact of the longstanding collaboration between the NA and BMATT in areas like Counter Improvised Explosive Device, Special Forces, and Basic Infantry Trainings is commendable,” he stated.
The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, who was present at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of the new facility. “The provision of this training village, along with other training initiatives for Nigerian Army troops, is an effort to further enhance their capacity before deploying them for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations,” he remarked.
Brigadier General OB Davies, the 81 Division Training Officer, expressed optimism about the facility’s potential to improve troop professionalism. He noted, “This training village, which consists of seven buildings, accommodation areas, a training area, a market, and a perimeter fence, will allow students to gain practical experience in what they are taught in classrooms.”
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The event was attended by notable figures including Major General Farouk Umar Mijinyawa, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division NA, and Brigadier Martin Leach, representative of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, among other senior officers from both the Army Headquarters and 81 Division NA. The ceremony featured a demonstration drill by students, the presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph session.