By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

Nigeria and Rwanda are exploring new areas of military cooperation, including personnel exchanges, specialised training and local defence equipment production, as both countries seek to strengthen regional security.

The proposals were presented by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during an official working visit to Rwanda, where he held talks with the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.

In a statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the discussions focused on expanding professional military cooperation and improving the operational capacity of both armies.

Shaibu proposed that two cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) undertake a four-year training programme at the Rwanda Military Academy, with similar opportunities to be made available to Rwandan cadets in Nigeria.

He also called for collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and relevant Rwandan institutions to boost local defence production and encourage technology development.

Other areas identified for cooperation include logistics, Military Police training, pre-deployment preparation for peace support operations and the exchange of operational experience in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency.

The Army Chief said both countries could draw on their respective military experiences to tackle emerging security threats, improve operational readiness and promote stability across the region.

He further stressed the need for closer ties between DICON and Rwanda’s defence engineering and procurement institutions to support indigenous equipment manufacturing, technological advancement and greater self-reliance.

During the visit, Shaibu paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, particularly the 600 personnel who defended Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He described their resilience and patriotism as enduring lessons in national determination and military leadership.

In his response, Nyakarundi commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and Intelligence training to Rwandan personnel.

He called for expanded professional military education through institutions such as the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and the National Defence College.

The Rwandan Army chief also welcomed the proposed cadet exchange programme and defence industrial partnership, describing the visit as a reflection of growing mutual trust and professional solidarity between the two armies.

The proposed initiatives are expected to provide a framework for deeper military engagement between Nigeria and Rwanda, particularly in training, defence technology and regional security cooperation

The Nigerian Army is strengthening its aviation quality management systems to improve flight safety, aircraft reliability and operational readiness.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, stated this at the opening of the Nigerian Army Aviation Command Workshop on Aviation Quality Management Systems on Monday in Abuja.

Represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Maj.

“The effectiveness and sustainability of these capabilities depend not only on the availability of aircraft and trained personnel, but also on robust quality management systems that ensure safe, standardised and reliable aviation operations,” he said.

Shaibu said aviation operations required the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, standardisation and continuous improvement.

He said the systems would help identify risks, ensure compliance with approved standards and prevent recurring deficiencies.

“As Nigerian Army Aviation continues to expand its operational and technical capabilities, institutionalising such a system is essential to building a resilient aviation organisation and sustaining operational readiness,” he said.

The army chief noted that since the re-establishment of Nigerian Army Aviation in 2014, efforts had been made to develop the platforms, personnel, infrastructure and systems required to support land operations.

He said the workshop would provide an opportunity for participants to examine practical approaches to quality assurance, safety management, maintenance practices, documentation and standardisation.

Shaibu expressed confidence that the deliberations would produce actionable recommendations for institutionalising an effective quality management system across Nigerian Army Aviation.

He urged participants to develop sustainable measures to strengthen aviation safety culture, improve operational processes and enhance the reliability of aviation assets.

The Commander, Nigerian Army Aviation Command, Brig.-Gen. Al-Amin Ibrahim said quality management was fundamental to aviation safety, aircraft availability, mission effectiveness and combat readiness.

“For the Nigerian Army Aviation Command, quality is not merely an administrative requirement; it is fundamental to operational safety, aircraft availability, mission effectiveness, accountability and sustained combat readiness,” Ibrahim said.

He said the workshop was designed to establish a structured framework for standardisation, accountability, disciplined documentation, effective monitoring and continuous improvement across the Command.

The commander stressed that quality management should be embraced as a shared responsibility by all personnel involved in aviation operations.

“Quality must also be embraced as a culture. It is not the sole responsibility of an inspectorate or quality assurance office.

“Rather, it is the responsibility of every officer, soldier and civilian staff member involved in planning, flying, maintenance, logistics, administration, training and support,” he said.

Ibrahim said the Command must prioritise preventing deficiencies rather than waiting for them to occur before taking corrective action.

He urged participants to develop practical recommendations with measurable outcomes that could be implemented and monitored across the Command.

“Our emphasis must be on prevention through discipline, effective supervision, risk awareness, adherence to approved procedures, timely reporting and organisational learning,” he said.

Ibrahim added that the proceedings and recommendations would be compiled into a compendium to guide the implementation, monitoring and periodic review of quality management initiatives.

The five-day workshop, which began on Monday, ends on Friday, brought together stakeholders to strengthen quality management and promote a culture of operational excellence in Nigerian Army Aviation. (NAN)

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

No fewer than 22 persons including four soldiers have been killed by ravaging bandits along Gwashi- Nassarawa axis on Bukkuyum local government area of Zamfara State.

This medium also gathered that three communities in Dansadau axis of Maru Local Government Area of the State have been displaced after several terror attacks were unleashed on them by the notorious bandits.

It was gathered that over 400 community members of the affected Communities have deserted the area for the safety of their lives, after a series of separate attacks on the three villages and setting ablaze over 12 vehicles.

This medium also gathered that the ravaging bandits imposed a N50 million levy on communities in the area, even though the bandits burnt over 12 vehicles and displaced three villages.

The killing of 22 people including 4 soldiers, along Gwashi- Nassaawa axis, the lawmaker, representing Bukkuyum in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Hamisu Faru, confirmed that the terrorists ambushed the victims, saying that the bandits unleashed terror attack on the people on Sunday while the soldiers were on duty in the area.

According to him, the bodies of some of the victims were yet to be recovered as at the time of filing this report.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma OPFY, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, also confirmed this to newsmen in Gusau, the State capital on Monday.

Reacting to the attacks, Zamfara State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), condemned the attacks, saying that the security situation in the State is deteriorating.

In a statement issued by State publicity secretary of the party,  Kassim Almustapha Kayatawa, said the party commiserated with the families of the victims, including the fallen soldiers.

“The NDC Zamfara State chapter, under the leadership of Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, condemns in strong terms the barbaric attacks in Dansadau and Bukkuyum and mourns the victims,” the statement said.

The State chapter of the party called on the federal government and the Zamfara State Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities in Dansadau, Bukkuyum and other flashpoints in the State.

Speaking further, the party also urged both federal and State governments to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address banditry and prevent further attacks in the State.

The party criticised Governor Dauda Lawal over his reported trip to Ethiopia, while the State was mourning the victims, urging him to cut short the visit and return to address the security situation.

“While the people are being attacked, the governor is said to be in Ethiopia as part of a federal government delegation. We call on him to cut short the trip and return to address the security challenges,” the party said.

The party further urged security agencies to intensify operations to restore peace and prevent further loss of lives and property.

All efforts to get the reaction of the Zamfara State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Abubakar Yazid proved abortive at the time of filing this report.