The European Union is set to provide €20 million in defence assistance to the Nigerian Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility, as Nigeria moves to deepen international security cooperation and strengthen its capacity to tackle terrorism, kidnapping and other threats.
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The planned assistance was discussed during a working visit by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the meeting focused on bilateral defence agreements, the existing security partnership between Nigeria and the European Union, and arrangements for delivering the proposed €20 million support.
Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation would visit Abuja in November to work with Nigerian officials on the modalities for the assistance.
The support is being planned under the European Peace Facility, the EU mechanism through which the bloc provides assistance aimed at strengthening the defence and security capacities of partner countries and organisations.
Musa welcomed the proposed assistance and expressed appreciation for what he described as the EU’s continued support for Nigeria’s security efforts.
He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and property and said the combined operations of the Armed Forces and other security agencies were gradually improving the security situation in parts of the country.
The Defence Minister, however, acknowledged that serious challenges remained, particularly kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities.
He said the government and security agencies were continuing operations aimed at addressing the threats.
Musa also disclosed that Nigeria was awaiting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and other military equipment expected to strengthen ongoing security operations.
“In this regard, Nigeria is expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other major enablers,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns over security developments in the Lake Chad region, warning that the continued shrinking of the basin, which supports the livelihoods of more than 50 million people, could contribute to instability.
He stressed that preventing terrorists from maintaining or establishing holding areas on islands in Lake Chad remained a major operational priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force.
The MNJTF brings together countries in the Lake Chad Basin in efforts to combat terrorism and other cross-border security threats.
Musa also spoke on the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme, arguing that the needs of victims of terrorism and insurgency, including affected military personnel, should receive adequate attention in the implementation of the programme.
Mignot, on his part, commended the recent conference involving serving and former MNJTF force commanders, which was also attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
The EU Ambassador praised Musa’s efforts in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and invited him to participate in a meeting of defence ministers scheduled to hold in Brussels later in the year.
The expected November visit by the EU technical delegation is therefore expected to move discussions from the political level to the practical details of how the €20 million assistance will be delivered to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
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