India Commends Nigerian
India Commends Nigerian Army on 2019
Elections
The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur has
paid a working visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai today Wednesday the 20th of March 2019
at the Army Headquarters Conference Room Abuja.
Mr Thakur was accompanied by the India Defence Attache to
Nigeria Colonel Derby Sachen during the visit. He used the
opportunity to commend the NA for its role in the just concluded
2019 General Elections.
He described the role of the NA during the elections as
professional and patriotic which is inline with global best
practice and promised to sustain cooperation with the NA in the
areas of training, defence procurement and sharing of intelligence
that will assist Nigeria in the ongoing fight against
terrorism.
According to him “Indian Army has a long time, historical
relationship with the NA. It is my desire to solidify the
relationship in the areas of strengthening the capacity of Nigerian
defence system through procurement of adequate platforms that suit
Nigeria”.
Mr Thakur also posited that defence training and research is one
of his areas of concern. He also stated that the first Counter
terrorism dialogue between India and Nigeria is underway.
“We will continue to support the NA in providing technical
assistance, training, capacity building and Defence strategies and
platforms to enhance its capabilities in tackling the myriad of
security challenges facing Nigeria”, he added.
In his response, the COAS thanked the visiting High Commissioner
whom he desribed as a well seasoned diplomat that has served Indian
Government in many capacities both locally and internationally.
While congratulating him on his recent appointment as High
Commissioner of India to Nigeria, General Buratai appreciated the
long time diplomatic and military relationship between Nigeria and
India. He noted that Indian army oficers were pioneer instructors
in the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“We shares the same military ethics, culture and traditions. We
will be looking forward to technical assistance, and your
experience in the area of military wares such as tanks, Army
aviation and special forces training is important in our war
efforts to ending terrorism/insurgency in Nigeria”.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations