EU Promise €20 Million Defence Support for Nigeria

European Union (EU) don promise to give Nigerian military €20 million support for defence, as Nigeria still dey fight against terrorism, kidnapping and attacks on communities.

Dem discuss the support wey dem plan to give Nigeria when Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, meet EU Ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, for Abuja.

Leah Katung-Babatunde, wey be special assistant to the minister on media, na im disclose this matter for one statement on Saturday.

She talk say dem go provide the support through European Peace Facility, wey be one EU programme wey dey fund peace and security efforts.

Katung-Babatunde talk say one EU technical team go visit Nigeria for November to agree on the details of the support.

Musa thank EU for the support wey dem continue to give Nigeria. E also talk say government still dey committed to protecting lives and promoting national development.

E say peace dey gradually return to some troubled parts of the country because of the efforts wey military and other security agencies dey make.

But e admit say kidnapping along major highways and attacks on communities wey dey far from other areas still remain serious challenges.

The minister also disclose say Nigeria dey expect 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and other military equipment to strengthen security operations.

E identify the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, wey more than 50 million people depend on, as one of the things wey dey cause instability for the region.

Musa talk say one major priority of the Multinational Joint Task Force na to stop terrorists from accessing their hideouts for the islands inside Lake Chad. Na this joint military force dey fight insurgency for the region.

The planned support na part of the wider security cooperation between EU and Nigeria.

For February, both sides hold their first Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue to strengthen cooperation on regional security and other matters wey concern both sides.

EU talk say the money wey dem don spend to support peace, security and defence cooperation with Nigeria pass €700 million between 2015 and 2025.

Musa also talk say Nigeria programme wey dey handle disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former fighters go give priority to people wey conflict don affect, including military personnel wey insurgency don affect.

The visit wey dem plan for November go help both sides decide how dem go deliver the €20 million support.