The European Union (EU) has announced £20 million in support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, as part of co-ordinated efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace to troubled areas across the country.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, announced the support package during a working visit to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), at his office at Ship House, Abuja.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the meeting with the Minister focused on modalities for the EU’s bilateral assistance package of £20 million for the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the European Peace Facility.
She said the meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss critical bilateral defence agreements, including a review of security co-operation between Nigeria and the EU.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mignot commended the Minister for his efforts to improve the country’s security situation. He also used the opportunity to invite him to a meeting of defence ministers scheduled to take place in Brussels later in the year.
Ambassador Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation would visit Abuja in November to agree on the details of the delivery.
He further commended the recent conference of past and serving commanders of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which was attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
For his part, General Musa expressed gratitude to the EU for its consistent support for Nigeria. He assured the Ambassador of the President’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians and promoting the country’s development.
He explained that relative peace was gradually returning to the country as a result of the commendable efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
However, he noted that kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities remained persistent challenges that the authorities were working to address.
In this regard, he said Nigeria was expecting the delivery of ten attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other critical military equipment, with the support of the President.
The Minister explained that the shrinking of the Lake Chad Basin, on which more than 50 million people depend for their livelihoods, remained a potential source of instability.
He stressed that denying terrorists access to their strongholds on the islands of Lake Chad remained a key operational priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Programme, the Minister emphasised that the initiative should prioritise victims of the conflict, including affected military personnel.
Linus Aleke
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