The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Aghay Takur has expressed the willingness of India to work closely with the Nigerian Army in its determination tackle the menace of terrorism currently causing discomfort in the North East of the country.
Speaking during a visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai at Army headquarters, Mr. Takur said Nigeria and India had similar challenges of confronting and tackling terrorism challenges hence the need to work together to share experience and strategic knowledge of dealing with the menace.
“Over the years, we have developed a lot of advanced techniques by the Indian Security Forces that will be of benefit to the Nigerian Army. Presently, we are up scaling these techniques and strategies for containing terrorism and other security challenges”.
The High Commissioner said India was ready to assist the Nigerian Army in strengthening capacity of its defence acquisition, equipment acquisition and also foster counter terrorism cooperation adding that there is even a window for financial support towards research in mine detection technology.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Buratai in his response described India as Nigeria’s great strategic partner especially as it relates to military cooperation, saying Nigeria and India ‘have deep rooted strategic relationship’ dating back to the sixties when the Nigerian Defence Academy was established.
The COAS noted that aside military cooperation, the two countries have continued to enjoy growth in socio-economic and spheres leading to establishment of a joint Defence Cooperation Committee where issues of common strategic security cooperation are deliberated upon at regular opportunity.
The COAS said issues of Defence procurement, counter terrorism dialogue and the Joint Defence cooperation meetings were high on the agenda of the Army High Command which would be discussed at appropriate levels.
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