“Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians. We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat them,” Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said during a visit to Lagos.

“Stepping up our training efforts will help support the Armed Forces of Nigeria for crucial counter-insurgency operations,” Fallon said.

The Defence Ministry said it plans to double the number of British trainers in Nigeria to about 300 over the next year.

A new Royal Air Force team will “improve the knowledge and skills of the Nigerian Air Force in airfield defence and counter insurgency”, while the counter-explosives team will also provide medical training and advice, the ministry said.

About 130 British military personnel were deployed in Nigeria on training missions this year, it said.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in northern Nigeria and impoverished the region by destroying infrastructure and driving tens of thousands from their homes