By Nkechi Eze
The European Union (EU) has pledged €20 million in defence assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria as the Federal Government seeks to deepen security cooperation with the bloc to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and address persistent security threats across the country.
The pledge followed a meeting between the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), OFR, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, at the minister’s office in Ship House, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Defence, the engagement focused on bilateral defence agreements, a review of security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU, and arrangements for delivering the proposed assistance under the European Peace Facility.
Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation would visit Abuja in November to agree on the modalities for delivering the support package. He also commended Nigeria’s efforts to address security challenges and invited Musa to a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels later in the year.
Responding, the defence minister expressed appreciation to the EU for its consistent support for Nigeria, assuring the ambassador of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and property and advancing national development.
Musa said relative peace was gradually returning to parts of the country due to the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He, however, acknowledged that kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities remained security concerns being addressed by the government.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria was expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other critical military equipment through the efforts of the President to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.
He also drew attention to the security implications of the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which supports the livelihoods of more than 50 million people, warning that the environmental challenge could contribute to instability in the region.
According to him, denying terrorists access to operational bases on the islands of Lake Chad remains a key priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which coordinates regional military operations against insurgent groups.
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, Musa stressed the need for an inclusive approach that prioritises victims of the conflict, including military personnel affected by the insurgency.
The EU ambassador also commended the recent conference of former and serving MNJTF force commanders, which was attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
The proposed €20 million assistance is expected to form part of broader Nigeria-EU efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and support regional security initiatives amid continuing threats from terrorism and other criminal activities.
