Tri-Service

UK Commits More Troops To Combat Boko Haram In Nigeria

The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced more UK support to the Nigerian armed forces to help combat Boko Haram.

It includes more than doubling the number of British personnel deployed on training and a specialist team will provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice.

The UK is to increase a force of 125, sent to Nigeria six months ago, to 300.

Fallon said: “Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians. We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat them."

"Stepping up our training efforts will help support the armed forces of Nigeria for crucial counter-insurgency operations.”

Boko Haram, which has been staging an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009, has killed 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.3 million.

The UK has a resident British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) in the African nation, which has grown in size since former Foreign Secretary William Hague announced last summer that the UK would increase its training and capacity building support to the Nigerian military to help it counter the violent extremist organisation known as Boko Haram.