Nigeria, Pakistan deepen military alliance to combat terrorism, insurgency
Nigeria and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation in a bid to confront the rising threats of terrorism, insurgency and transnational crime.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, said the Nigerian Army is ready to deepen its strategic partnership with Pakistan during a meeting with the Pakistani Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Kamran Mushtaq, at Army Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
General Shaibu described the military relationship between both countries as critical to regional stability, stressing that closer cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint training programmes and advanced defence technology would create a stronger front against modern security threats.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the COAS noted that Nigeria and Pakistan share similar experiences in combating domestic and cross-border crimes. He said the evolving security environment demands greater “interoperability” between both forces, achievable through sustained collaboration and professional military education.
Shaibu commended Pakistani military institutions for the high-quality training they have provided to Nigerian officers over the years and welcomed the planned deployment of Pakistani officers to Nigeria’s National Defence College, describing the exchange as a “critical pillar” of the bilateral partnership.
He also подчеркнул Nigeria’s drive to strengthen its technological capabilities through strategic defence procurement and more robust intelligence networks, noting that these steps are essential for maintaining operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
In his remarks, Colonel Mushtaq conveyed goodwill messages from Asim Munir, and praised the Nigerian Army for its resilience and operational achievements. He said Pakistan, which has faced similar security challenges for over two decades, is ready to share its experience and expertise.
Mushtaq pledged Pakistan’s support through technical assistance, as well as specialised surveillance and communication systems, to help Nigeria gain a strategic advantage against insurgent groups.
Both sides concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to a long-term partnership aimed at addressing the evolving nature of global and regional security threats.
