Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s engagement with his Turkish counterpart, culminating in the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including one on defence, demonstrates the administration’s determination to confront Nigeria’s security challenges head-on.
He said the outcomes of the President’s strategic visit to Türkiye underscore a deliberate effort to strengthen the Armed Forces through advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and enhanced operational capacity.
The minister was quoted as saying: “This administration is committed to equipping the Armed Forces with the right capabilities, partnerships, and technologies required to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other threats to our national stability.”
In a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the minister added: “Our engagements in Türkiye are practical steps toward strengthening operational effectiveness and self-reliance.”
According to Gen. Musa, the engagements represent concrete measures aimed at boosting institutional capacity and reducing reliance on external support in critical defence areas.
As part of the visit, the Defence Minister, alongside the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, toured major defence industry firms in Türkiye, including ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and HAVELSAN.
The delegation also held several high-level bilateral defence meetings.
Ejodame stated the engagements allowed the NAF to review existing procurement arrangements.
He said discussions focused on optimising procurement programmes, improving sustainment and maintenance support, expanding training opportunities, advancing research and development, and deepening indigenous capacity-building for the Armed Forces.
Ejodame noted that the visit holds direct operational benefits for the NAF, particularly in ongoing efforts against terrorism, banditry, insurgency, and other asymmetric threats.
He said: “The engagements are expected to enhance intelligence, surveillance, precision engagement, and close air support capabilities critical to joint operations across theatres.
“These outcomes align with the CAS’s objective of building a more agile, lethal, and technology-driven air force.”
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified operations against Boko Haram and its splinter groups in the Northeast, closing in on more terrorist leaders and commanders, a senior military source said.
They killed more than 12 terrorists during a surprise night raid at Bula Dalo, forcing survivors to flee and abandon four AK-47 rifles, a PKT anti-aircraft gun, a rocket-propelled gun, and a multiple grenade launcher.
Confirming the operation, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said six additional terrorists were killed in Gamo, where their logistics and life-support structures were destroyed, and a large cache of PKT anti-aircraft ammunition was recovered.
Uba, however, said some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during multiple armed drone attacks by ISWAP in Sabon Gari in the early hours of Thursday.
He said: “Although the terrorists briefly breached part of the defensive position, gallant troops swiftly repelled the assault, held their ground, and restored full control with timely reinforcements.
“Regrettably, some courageous troops and CJTF members paid the supreme price, while an excavator and a lowbed were damaged during the drone attack.”
Nigeria and the Swiss Government have agreed to strengthen their existing defence collaboration, with a renewed focus on non-kinetic partnerships aimed at promoting peace and stability.
The understanding was reached yesterday when the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Patrick Egloff, paid a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba.
Egloff reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence cooperation with Nigeria, particularly through non-kinetic approaches to security challenges.
He said Switzerland was keen on supporting humanitarian engagement, peacebuilding initiatives and programmes that address the root causes of insecurity through dialogue, development support and institutional partnerships.
Gen. Oluyede welcomed the Swiss envoy and expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s sustained interest in Nigeria’s security and stability.
The defence chief acknowledged Switzerland’s contributions to non-kinetic efforts in the country, noting that such initiatives were critical in complementing ongoing military operations.
