President Bola Tinubu don announce say France go support Nigeria with military equipment and training after im talk with French President Emmanuel Macron for phone. Tinubu yarn this news when im dey address state governors for im Ikoyi residence for Lagos during Eid-el-Fitr holiday, just after im return from two-day state visit to United Kingdom.
According to details wey dem release from the meeting, Tinubu say im discussion with Macron focus on how to get collaboration for military hardware and operational support. “I fit report to una, yesterday again, for one lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” Tinubu talk. Im add say im government dey explore multiple international partnerships to make Nigeria security architecture strong.
Tinubu describe insecurity as the next major phase of the country challenges, and im warn say e dey threaten national development and prosperity. “The next phase of our struggle dey stare us for face; na the challenge of insecurity for this country,” Tinubu talk, and im add say collective action go dey required to achieve “victory over tyranny.” Im stress say discussions about military equipment acquisition also feature prominently during im recent visit to United Kingdom.
This development come as violence don renew for Nigeria northern region, including recent bomb attacks for Maiduguri wey kill at least 23 people and wound over 100. In response, Tinubu don direct security chiefs to relocate to the area and approve additional operational support for counter-terrorism efforts. Vice President Kashim Shettima don earlier visit victims of the attack wey dey receive treatment for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The latest move to secure French support come as Nigeria dey deepen security cooperation with United States. According to recent report by Reuters, U.S. don deploy MQ-9 Reaper drones alongside about 200 military personnel to Nigeria to provide intelligence and training support to local forces wey dey battle insurgents for northern region. Officials from both countries talk say the deployment limited to surveillance and advisory roles, with no American troops involved for frontline combat or drone strike missions.
Nigeria Defence Headquarters confirm say U.S. personnel dey present, and dem note say dem dey operate from airfield for Bauchi State as part of joint intelligence-sharing arrangement. Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, talk say the collaboration don already dey deliver actionable intelligence to field commanders. “Our U.S. partners remain for strictly non-combat role, enabling operations wey Nigerian authorities dey lead,” Uba talk.
The renewed foreign partnerships show say Nigeria dey rely more on international support as security agencies dey confront persistent threats from extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, wey still dey carry out deadly attacks across the region. Tinubu urge state governors to deepen collaboration for combating insecurity, and im promise enhanced international support to make the nation security architecture strong.
Tinubu thank God for the unity wey Muslims show during Ramadan, and im highlight say dem start and end the fasting period together for spirit of shared faith and national cohesion. Im commend the governors for their continued support, and im stress say the next phase of governance must focus squarely on addressing insecurity and restoring peace across the country. “Insecurity na enemy of development, progress and prosperity. I dey glad say we all dey mindful of the challenge before us,” Tinubu talk.
Im pledge to strengthen Nigeria international partnerships to secure modern equipment, intelligence support, and training wey dem need to combat terrorism and other security threats effectively. “One of the major discussions for United Kingdom na equipment and support. We dey work to deepen collaboration for these critical areas,” Tinubu talk. Im disclose say im also hold extensive discussions on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on security cooperation and potential support for Nigeria counter-terrorism efforts.
Tinubu talk say Nigeria go leverage im goodwill and existing diplomatic relationships to access resources, including credit facilities, to make im security capabilities strong. “We must reach out to partners wey dey willing to support us with equipment and training so say we fit effectively confront and defeat terrorism,” im talk. Im also urge state governments to intensify efforts for caring for vulnerable populations, and im note say while progress don dey made, more fit dey done to improve social welfare systems.
Tinubu warn say global tensions, especially for Middle East, fit make inflationary pressures high and reduce Nigerians purchasing power. “The Middle East crisis go affect inflation and purchasing power, with implications for transportation costs and general living conditions,” im talk. Im assure say Federal Government go continue to engage labour unions and other stakeholders to reduce the economic impact on citizens and maintain social stability.
The president also commend Vice President Kashim Shettima for im swift response to recent security incidents for Borno, and im describe im actions as timely and commendable. Tinubu reaffirm im administration commitment to invest in technology, intelligence, and security infrastructure to decisively address insurgency and related threats nationwide. “We dey determined to defeat terrorism and all im manifestations. We must come together to secure our nation and guarantee peaceful future,” im talk.
The governors wey visit na Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara lead dem, wey na Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. This development show say Nigeria dey actively seek international partnerships to address security challenges wey dey affect the country development and stability.
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