By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation, with a focus on training, border security, and intelligence sharing.
An official signed statement made available by the Director Defence Information Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, disclosed that this commitment was reaffirmed during the visit of the Pakistani Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Shahir Shamsad Mirzapaid, on his Nigerian counterpart, General Christopher Gwabin Musa at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Musa thanked the Pakistani Defence Chief for the strategic visit. He assured him that Nigerian Military will continue to build capacity in collaboration with the Pakistani Armed Forces.
The CDS further emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration between the two countries in the areas of training, particularly, Special Forces Training, management of Veteran Affairs, border security and intelligence sharing among others.
He added that these collaborative efforts has so far ensured the training of over two thousand officers in various Pakistani military institutions.
In his comment during the visit, General Shamsad Mirza commended the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
He further appreciated the long standing mutual relationships between Nigeria and his country. According to him, both countries share similarity in culture, religion and other diversity.
The Pakistani Defence Chief also described Nigeria as a giant leader in Africa, which has a geo-strategic importance to Pakistan. General Mirza further maintained that both countries share similar experience in fighting terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of insecurity, and said he looked forward to a reboust partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
