By Elizabeth Tanko
Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, at the Ship House, Abuja.
Ambassador Mignot was on a working visit to discuss critical defence bilateral agreements, including the review of security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, in a statement on Saturday, said Ambassador Mignot commended Gen Musa for his efforts in changing the security dynamics in the country and invited him for a meeting of Ministers of Defence in Brussels later in the year.
The engagement centred on modalities for EU’s bilateral assistance of €20 million for the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the European Peace Facility.
Gen. Musa expressed gratitude to the EU for its consistent support to Nigeria and assured the Ambassador of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians and the development of the country.
He noted that relative peace is gradually returning due to the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, but added that kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities persist and are being tackled.
He disclosed that Nigeria is expecting delivery of ten attack helicopters, UAVs and other major enablers 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, remains a potential source of instability.
He stressed that denying terrorists holding areas on the Lake Cha d Islands remains a key operational priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) Programme, the Minister emphasised that the programme should prioritise victims, including affected military personnel.
Ambassador Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation will visit Abuja in November to agree on delivery details. He also commended the recent conference of past and present MNJTF Force Commanders, which was attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
