UK, Nigeria military collaborates to address insecurity threats

From Olatunji Omirin, Maiduguri

United Kingdom Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian military to address security threats bedevilling the country.

Lord stated this shortly after the closed meeting during his visit to the Theatre Command Northeast Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri yesterday.

He expressed his admiration for the military’s efforts against insurgents and other security threats in the region.He assured support from the UK government in collaborating to address armed conflict challenges in Nigeria.

“It’s a great privilege to be here with the general Nigeria and the UK have a very close relationship with partners and standing together to meet common objectives. And the purpose of that is to celebrate all of that work together, to recognize how much we’ve done to tackle IED, to tackle some of the threats that are faced.”

And so it’s to recognize all of that. It’s a great privilege to be here. We came in and we had an honor guard that the general had arranged for us shows the mutual respect that we have and the way in which we’re going to continue to work together to support each other.

He continued, “What I’m trying to emphasise is the importance of Nigeria to the UK and the importance of us to each other. So what I’m recognising is that Nigeria is one of our strongest partners here in West Africa.”

“We support them with the regional activity that they have. We support that across the region, as well as within Nigeria, with some of the threats that they’ve had on the border.” he said.

Lord Vernon Coaker also tours the various military installations at the theatre command headquarters.

Also speaking, the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, expressed gratitude for the minister’s visit and pledged to strengthen ties with the UK government.

He said the armed forces remain steadfast in their resolve to quell insurgency attacks in the northeast and other regions of the country.

The public is urged to continue providing valuable information that will aid in combating insecurity.