By Zainab Bakare
The European Union is planning £20 million in defence assistance for Nigeria’s Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility, with a technical delegation expected in Abuja in November to agree on delivery arrangements.
The development is discussed when the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, visit the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), at the Ship House in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the meeting focus on reviewing security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU, as well as existing bilateral defence agreements.
The minister thanked the EU for its continued support and says security is gradually improving through the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He, however, identify kidnappings along major highways and attacks on isolated communities as persistent challenges.
Musa says Nigeria is expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and other military equipment to strengthen operations, following efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He also highlight the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which supports more than 50 million people, as a potential source of instability.
The minister say denying terrorists safe havens on the islands of Lake Chad remains a key priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force.
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme, Musa call for greater attention to victims of the conflict, including military personnel affected by the fighting.
Mignot commended Nigeria’s security efforts and praise a recent conference of former and serving MNJTF force commanders attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
The EU ambassador also invited Musa to a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels later this year as both sides seek to strengthen security cooperation.
