Tri-Service
How Britain's Helping Nigeria Fight Boko Haram
The British government announced in December that it was increasing its support to Nigeria to help in the fight against Boko Haram.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the number of British military advisors in the country would more than double, from 125 to 300, and now much of that training is underway.
Through the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), 35 members of 2nd Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, deployed last month.
But it’s not just about passing on infantry tactics. Medical and media skills are also being taught and some of those lessons are taking place in the UK.
At RAF Halton, the Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG) is running communication courses for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to help them better engage with the public. Course instructor Major Ric Cole says:
"Nigeria has a number of challenges, including the insurgency in the North and piracy at sea, so it’s very important the Nigerian military have the capability to do media operations and information operations and we’re part of that training."
The Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG) has already sent trainers to Nigeria demonstrating mobile news team skills.
It hopes to pass on the skills that have been learnt from experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and the Balkans so the country can develop its own plans.
To win the fight against terrorism, they need public support – and the Nigerians recognise that media plays a big part. Captain Suleman Dahun, Assistant Director of Information at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, says:
"On the battlefield we’ve succeeded in pushing Boko Haram to some specific pockets. I think we need to do more to bring our local population on board, to let them be part of the process of defeating the Boko Haram insurgency."
Nigeria faces many challenges – with a population of 167 million, its Africa’s biggest economy and one of the world’s largest oil producers but it’s also been blighted by political instability and corruption.
Thousands have died in attacks by Boko Haram and in 2014 militants kidnapped up to 300 girls from their school. Nigerian Armed Forces say they are fighting back – but getting that message across to the public is another battle.
This course is all about recognising the fact that in modern conflict the fight isn't just on the battlefield, there’s a war of words taking place as well.
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