US Cancels Military Training with Nigeria

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The United States has announced the discontinuation of its training of a Nigerian Army battalion.

Although no reason was given for the cancellation, the development, it said, is at the request of the Nigerian government.

In a statement issued by its embassy in Abuja Monday, it was stated that the first two phases of the training were conducted between April and August 2014.

“Based on mutual assessment of the Nigerian Army and US trainers, a third iteration of training was agreed upon with the intent of developing the battalion into a unit with advanced infantry skills,” it read.

The US expressed regret at what it said is the premature termination of the training, noting that the training was to be the first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units with the goal of helping the Nigerian Army build capacity to counter Boko Haram.

“The US government will continue other aspects of the extensive bilateral security relationship as well as all other assistance programs,” it added.

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US Cancels Military Training with Nigeria