DEFENCE
Tinubu Seeks Stronger Economic, Defence, Bilateral Cooperation with UK
President Bola Tinubu has called on the UK to deepen its partnership with Nigeria and Africa by investing more to see that African continent attained more sustainable and broad-based prosperity.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Tinubu, who made the call when he received UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, called on the UK to commit more to win-win development partnerships for Nigeria and the Africa continent.
He recalled the history of decades of deep symbiotic connection and economic ties between the continent and the UK.
The president added that the UK government must work with Nigeria and the rest of Africa to create a competitive, technologically advanced economy that would cater for the needs of all citizens.
“I am happy to know that the United Kingdom is ready to work with us in Nigeria and Africa. The United Kingdom must do more for the continent. We have not developed a competitive economy,” the President said.
While addressing the pressing issue of energy transition and the opportunity for economic growth in Africa and Nigeria, Tinubu charged Cleverly on the imperatives of the West and UK in mobilising investment to pipe gas from Nigeria to Europe.
“The Western economic programme should be able to help Nigeria pipe our gas to Europe since gas is acceptable as alternative clean energy. You must help us with the finance and facilitate the investment we require.”
On democracy, peace and stability in West Africa, Tinubu noted that security would remain a challenge as long as there are unstable governments in the sub-region.
He used the opportunity of the visit to decry the situation in Niger, the Sahel region and Horn of Africa where terrorists are finding comfort, asking the government of UK to support Nigeria to secure West Africa.
“We need a dynamic partnership on security and economic development because we don’t want terrorists to make Africa and our sub-region their nest,” Tinubu told the Foreign Secretary.
In his remarks, Cleverly congratulated the President on his election victory and the steps he has taken so far to reform the economy.
He said that the decisive actions on fuel subsidy removal and multiple foreign exchange markets would bring about development to the country in spite of the current pains.
He told the President about his meeting in Lagos with entrepreneurs, technologists and young people in the creative sector, saying that his home government remains a strategic long-term partner of Nigeria and Africa.
“I want to commend you for the decisions you have taken to reform your economy.
”Your economic reforms are bold and the actions taken have been decisive. Despite the initial pains, these decisions will lead to economic prosperity for Nigerians.”
The foreign secretary further said he was in Nigeria to promote bilateral and economic partnership.
“I am keen on encouraging more UK investments into Nigeria. You took bold and important decisions so far that will reform your economy and open it more for foreign investments.
”Nigeria has a population of very young, educated and thoughtful people. With their energy and talents along with your resources, Nigeria can be a net exporter of energy and agricultural products.
”The UK will remain a strategic long-term and multi-decades partner of Nigeria and Africa.”
On the political situation in Republic of Niger, the UK Foreign Secretary offered his government’s support for the decision of ECOWAS and the leadership of Tinubu in promoting democracy and stability in the region.
“For us, our national interest is to see a peaceful and prosperous African continent because peace and security go hand in hand.”(NAN)
DEFENCE
Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Kebbi
Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued three kidnapped victims following an operation in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi.
The Media Coordinator of the operation, Osoba Olaniyi, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi.
Olaniyi stated that the rescue took place on Oct.
24 adding that two victims were rescued at Makuku Village, while one was rescued at Dankolo village.“The rescued victims include A’isha Aminu, 46, Sumayya Aminu, 27, and Nana Abbas, 15,” the media coordinator said.
He disclosed that the victims were subsequently handed over to the District Head of Dirindaji, Alhaji Usman Muhammad, through the Chairman of Sakaba Local Government Area.
Olaniyi noted that the operation was concluded successfully without any incident, stressing that the troops remained committed to the protection of lives and property.
DEFENCE
Troops Neutralise Six Terrorists, Arrest 11 Suspected Collaborators in Borno
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised six terrorists, arrested 11 suspected collaborators and received the surrender of a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) member in Borno.
This was contained in an operational report on Sunday in Abuja.
The report said the operations, conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), targeted terrorist fighters and suspected support networks in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
It said troops of 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, supported by Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)/JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga at about 12:37 a.
m. on Oct. 25.According to the report, six terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Other recovered items included two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
“In a related development, troops arrested six additional suspected terrorist collaborators during a follow-up raid in Benisheikh, Kaga, at about 6:20 a.m. on Oct. 24.
“The arrests brought the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to 11, including five earlier arrests.
“Items listed as recovered during the raid included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three terrorist uniforms, a turban, a head mask, two Android phones, three button phones and charms,” it said.
The report said the suspects were undergoing investigation to establish their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and identify possible links to other members of the network.
It added that troops of 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel at Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza, received a JAS member who surrendered at about 9:20 p.m. on Saturday.
According to the report, preliminary investigation indicated that the individual had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of Gwoza and decided to abandon terrorism.
“The individual surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” it added.
The report said the defector was in custody undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
It said the operations underscore OPHK’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, dismantle support networks and encourage defections through sustained, intelligence-led operations.
The military urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts to restore peace and enable displaced communities to return safely. (NAN)
DEFENCE
UK, Nigeria to Deepen Defence, Security Cooperation
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence and security cooperation with Nigeria, with emphasis on military training, technology transfer and institutional capacity building.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, reiterated the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen.
Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.This was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Vowles reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to sustaining existing security initiatives and exploring new areas of collaboration to address evolving regional and global security challenges.
He described defence and security cooperation as critical pillars of the longstanding bilateral relationship between both countries.
The high commissioner also stressed the need for a mutually beneficial partnership that would promote regional stability and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to tackle contemporary security threats.
In his response, Oluyede highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Nigeria and the UK, noting that both countries had sustained productive defence relations over several decades.
He said the two countries had continued to collaborate in addressing shared security concerns.
The CDS emphasised the need to sustain and expand existing areas of cooperation, particularly in professional military education, technology transfer and institutional capacity building.
According to him, ongoing defence agreements and training programmes have contributed to improving the professional competence and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Oluyede emphasised that continued collaboration with strategic international partners remained vital to strengthening the military’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging threats.
He added that such partnerships would also promote greater self-reliance, institutional resilience and operational efficiency within the Armed Forces.
Both parties expressed optimism about the future of the UK-Nigeria defence and security partnership, reaffirming their commitment to consolidating existing achievements and exploring further areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.


