The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding strategic partnership with Pakistan to confront emerging security threats.
Shaibu stated this while receiving Pakistan’s Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Col. Kamran Mushtaq, at Army Headquarters in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Saturday in Abuja.
The COAS underscored the depth and strategic importance of Nigeria–Pakistan military cooperation, identifying joint training, intelligence sharing, defence technology and operational collaboration as key pillars for reinforcing collective security architecture.
The army chief said deepening cooperation in these areas would enhance interoperability and significantly improve both countries’ capacity to tackle evolving security challenges.
Shaibu also lauded the enduring bond between the two militaries, noting their shared experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
He emphasised the importance of sustained capacity building through professional military education, citing the advanced training Nigerian officers had received in Pakistan and the planned participation of Pakistani officers at Nigeria’s National Defence College.
According to him, strengthened intelligence cooperation and strategic defence procurement remain vital to improving Nigeria’s operational readiness, technological edge and overall combat effectiveness.
In his remarks, Mushtaq conveyed the goodwill of Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and commended the Nigerian Army’s professionalism, resilience and operational achievements.
Drawing on Pakistan’s more than two decades of counter-terrorism experience, he reaffirmed his country’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Nigeria through specialised training, technical assistance and provision of critical enablers, including advanced surveillance and communication systems.
He reiterated commitment to expanding professional military education and exchange programmes, stressing their importance in boosting interoperability, operational synergy and collective capacity to address regional and transnational security threats.
(NAN)
