The United Kingdom and France say they will continue to explore areas where they can maximise support to Nigeria in particular, and West Africa in general, in addressing security challenges.
They gave the assurance on Friday at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, when their Chiefs of Defence Staff, Generals Nicolas Carter (UK) and Francois Lecointre (France) visited their Nigeria counterpart, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.
The UK defence chief, who spoke on behalf of the visitors, lauded Nigeria for its efforts at stabilising the West African sub-region and the entire continent in terms of security.
“We both feel strongly that we need to help you here in West Africa.
“We have huge appreciation for Nigeria, and how it fixes into the regional security situation and providing security and stability to Africa as a whole.
“We are also impressed with the strong military commitment to providing peace to your country by the way you are challenging Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa.
“Islamic State is a much larger threat.
“We are collectively looking for opportunities to see where else we can help, where else we can maximise our support to West Africa and Nigeria, particularly,’’ Carter said.
He described their joint visit to their Nigeria counterpart as “historic, symbolic and unprecedented.’’
Welcoming them earlier, Olonisakin said that both countries had over the years remain “strong pillars’’ of support to Nigeria and the armed forces of the country.
According to him, these supports have come in form of capacity building through training for members of our armed forces, equipment support, intelligence and much more.
“These have in no small measure helped us in our effort to tackle the various security challenges confronting our nation, especially in counter terrorism and counter insurgency efforts in the North Eastern part of the country.’’
Olonisakin said the visit would provide opportunity for Nigeria, UK and France armed forces to interact in “all spheres’’ on security engagements.
He said that the military was committed to restoring peace to the country, adding that currently, the defence headquarters was conducting seven major operations across the nation.
The operations, he said, were helping to ensure safety and security of Nigerians and their property.
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