Nigeria and the United States of America is to strengthen bilateral relations in the defence sector, says Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said this when the United States House Armed Services Committee Congressional Ddelegation, led by the Vice Chairman, Mr Mac Thornberry, visited the Defence Headquarters.
“America qualifies to be friend of our country and the spirit underlines their visit here today to relate with us on defence and related issues on one hand, how we manage our local matters of insurgence, and on the other hand, how we participate in the African meeting support mission in Mali.”
The chief of defence staff, while appreciating the US for their support, said they had supported the country with platforms that helped the armed forces in the discharge of their responsibility in the Niger Delta.Ibrahim said this when the United States House Armed Services Committee Congressional Ddelegation, led by the Vice Chairman, Mr Mac Thornberry, visited the Defence Headquarters.
“America qualifies to be friend of our country and the spirit underlines their visit here today to relate with us on defence and related issues on one hand, how we manage our local matters of insurgence, and on the other hand, how we participate in the African meeting support mission in Mali.”
Ola said the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Thunder, which was given to the country by the US, was still at sea, adding that the country was very grateful for the support.
“ We are also sure that at the level of the committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, America is very visible, in Mali so far.
“You qualify as a friend and in this sub-region, we also aspire to play a similar role. They look up tous for leadership and we want to provide it.”
On his part, the chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and Army, Thompson Sekibo, said the delegation was in the country to find out how we were dealing with our internal security situation.
“They think we are doing well, we are trying our best, but they also suggest that we put in more efforts to be sure that the insurgency is brought to the minimal,” he said.
The ceremony was witnessed by US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, and senior military officers, among others.
Meanwhile, Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information, told newsmen that the attack was from the Boko Haram insurgency and there was a distress call on the military that intervened immediately, the casualty as at yesterday was just 25 and a soldier was lost who was in a team to rescue the villagers.
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