The Nigerian Army and its Turkish counterpart have pledged to strengthen military bilateral relations between both countries to tackle terrorism.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Army Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday when the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Hidaye Bayraktar, paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
SpyeTV notes that efforts have been made in recent times to strengthen relations between both countries. Ambassador Bayraktar had, in May this year, visited Nigeria and met with the country’s foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyema in the capital, Abuja, and discussed bilateral relations. The Turkish Ambassador had told Onyeama that senior Turkish officials were willing to pay a visit to Nigeria in near future.
During his visit with the COAS, Bayraktar stated that the purpose of the visit was to improve upon the existing relationship between the two countries and to assist Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
The envoy further averred that, like Nigeria, Turkey had equally been confronted with challenges of insecurity and pointed out that the Defence Corporations of both countries have to come into mutual agreement to curtail the activities of terrorists in both countries.
In his response, the COAS described the visit as an opportunity to further enhance the existing cordial relationship between both countries, particularly the Land Forces of Turkey.
He disclosed that during his recent tour of Turkey, he had paid a visit to the Turkish Defence Corporation which he described as a very insightful tour.
Gen. Yahaya further stated that the relationship between the two countries will shore up the fighting capabilities of the armies in both countries through intelligence sharing and operational experience.