In a bid to strengthen the long relationship between the British army and the Nigerian army, the UK Minsiter for State for armed forces and veterans, and the Chief of Army Staff have concluded plans to train personnel on Special Forces Operations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja today 23 August 2023 seeks for more synergy with the UK government and British Army, especially in the areas of training of Nigerian Army personnel, adding that, the Army is open to other areas of cooperation, like special forces training, and for other areas of operations.
The Army Chief said this when he received the United Kingdom, UK Minsiter for State for armed forces and veterans, Mr. James Stephen Heappey and his management team at the Army headquarters, Abuja.
The COAS welcomed the minister and his entourage to army headquarters on behalf of officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army and the entire Nigerian Army community, thanking them for relationship that exists between the Nigerian army and the British Army.
"Our army is patterned along with the British in terms of organization, equipments and training.
He also asked for procurement of equipments for platforms from the United Kingdom to boost operational activities of the Nigerian Army
The COAS also thanked the minister for the support received and what British army had done to assist the Nigeria military to fight the Insurgency and other forms of insecurity that confront Nigeria.
Lt General Lagbaja noted that, British army have been assisting all the military operations in all the six geopolitical zones, especially in the North East thretres of Operations.
Earlier in his remarks, UK Minister for State for Armed forces and veterans, Mr. James Stephen Heappey noted that, he and his team had visited some countries in West Africa but according to him, nowhere is that more obvious than here in Nigeria, where the relationship between british armed forces and particularly British armies is incredibly pleased.
Mr. James Stephen Heappey said the customs and traditions of the Nigerian army are almost identical to many of the customs missions of the British Army. He said many Nigerian officers trained, and studied with distinction in the UK and for some years, but particularly last decade.
He said the purpose of his visit is to strengthen ties with Nigerian Army, having elected new governments in Nigeria and new service chiefs appointed. I come to introduce myself, to establish new friendships and to build on what has done before, to invite you to be honest and candid with us about the things that we've been.
He pledged to work with the Nigerian Army, to meets COAS ambition for his army general whilst it is under his command, to understand what COAS ambitions are and how UK might support them.
