Federal Government has disclosed that Turkey will partner with Nigeria to tackle insecurity in the country.
This was made known by Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu while speaking as guest on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, stressing that they have handled matters that Nigeria is dealing with for a long time.
He explained that discussions around securing Nigeria were prioritised during President Buhari’s trip to Turkey.
“Turkey with their experience in weapons manufacturing and technology and all of that, they’ve handled matters that we are dealing with for a long time so there’s a lot we can learn from them and from the engagements, it is clear that we have got that partner that we needed that would help Nigeria.
“They are donating equipment, we are buying some and we hope that as soon as we go into the new year, some activities will start,” he said.
“At the center of all of the President’s engagements in Turkey is the issue of securing Nigerians and making Nigeria safe,” he said.
Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, had in October asked the Russian government to support Nigeria with “sophisticated equipment” to improve security in the country.
Yahaya said this during Alexey Shebarshin, Russian ambassador to Nigeria’s visit to the army headquarters.
The army chief also spoke on the need to support collaboration between both countries.
“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has stated that the Nigerian Army (NA) will further explore the cordial bilateral relations between the NA and Russian government for acquisition of military equipment to enhance its operations across the country,” the statement reads.
“The COAS stated this today, Thursday, 14 October 2021, when the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Alexey Shebarshin, paid him a courtesy call at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
“Reminiscing the long existing relationship between the NA and Russia, the COAS expressed the need to rekindle the relationship for their mutual benefit.
“He also solicited the support of the Russian government in the provision of sophisticated equipment to shore up NA’s combat efficiency in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other sundry crimes orchestrating insecurity in some parts of the country.
“He assured the Ambassador of NA’s determination in sustaining the cooperation.
“The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, lauded the contributions of the NA in the stability of the continent and described Nigeria as critical on the African continent in terms of military capability, trade and investment.
“He indicated interest in supporting the NA through provision of equipment and technical assistance,” he added.
