By Idris Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army has expressed its interest to collaborate with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on training, intelligence, radio communication and logistics support for its personnel.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, made the disclosure Thursday when he received the Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Maj Gen Wagar Ahmed Kingravi, rtd, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
In his remark, the Army chief recalled that Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have enjoyed great military collaborations ranging from exchange training at Junior and Senior Staff Courses and at the National Defence College; capacity development of Nigerian Army personnel, platforms acquisition amongst others.
However, Mr. Buratai expressed the readiness of the Nigerian Army to continue to partner with the Pakistani Army in order to tap from its wealth of experience, especially on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.
He acknowledged the role played by the Pakistani Armed Forces in assisting the Nigerian Army with Radio Communication equipment in the fight against insurgency.
“It is as important to the successes the Nigerian Army has recorded in the operations, particularly in the North East part of the country,” Mr. Buratai said.
He assured the High Commissioner that Nigerian Army would continue to partner with his country with a view to increasing capacity required to enable it enhance its capability in tackling security challenges in the country.
In his remark, the Pakistan High Commissioner, Wagar Kingravi thanked the Army Chief for his hospitality.
He commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Mr. Buratai, for performing beyond measure in the fight against terrorism.
He further sought for the interest of the leadership of the Nigerian Army for its troops to be trained by the Pakistan Army, either in Nigeria or in Pakistan. According to him, his country’s army has the capacity to train a Battalion strength of Special Forces of the Nigerian Army.
