The Honourable Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru mni, CON has said that Nigeria would strengthen bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom (UK) in fighting insurgency.
This was stated when the UK delegation led by Minister for Armed Forces and Veterans, Mr. James Heappey had a meeting with him in his office.
Badaru said Britain has been supportive in ensuring the safety of Nigerian waterways, adding that security is a dynamic issue which has its own challenges.
The Minister said that Nigerian Military and British Military have to work together to combat the Boko Haram threat, adding that the West needs to give more support to Nigeria as it has given to other nations.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle MON, said that Nigeria and United Kingdom have had good bilateral relationship.
Matawalle, reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to ending insurgency and banditry in Nigeria, adding that both countries need to work closely in areas of capacity building, training of military personnel, technology transfer as well as provision of modern equipment to fight Boko Haram.
Minster of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru (2nd R), Minister of State Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle (R), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar kana mni (L), United Kingdom Minister of Armed Forces, Mr. James Heappey during a courtesy visit to the Ministers of Defence in Ship House
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni said that Britain tops the list on Nigeria’s international friends, adding that Nigeria cherishes the relationship between the two countries.
The United Kingdom Minister for Armed Forces, Mr. James Heappey said that the purpose of their visit is to adjust and expand their support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria based on the needs and perception of the changing threats.
It is worthy of note that this is the first official courtesy visit to the Ministers since assumption of office on Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023.
Victoria Agba-Attah
Director, Press & Public Relations
24/08/2023
