Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has asked the Russian government to support Nigeria army with “sophisticated equipment” to improve security in the country.
Yahaya said this on Thursday, when Alexey Shebarshin, Russian ambassador to Nigeria, visited him at the army headquarters.
Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, in a statement, said the army chief also spoke on the need to support collaboration between both countries.
Nigeria Army
Nigeria Army
“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has stated that the Nigerian Army will further explore the cordial bilateral relations between the NA and Russian government for acquisition of military equipment to enhance its operations across the country,” the statement reads.
“The COAS stated this today, Thursday, 14 October 2021, when the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Alexey Shebarshin, paid him a courtesy call at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
“Reminiscing the long existing relationship between the Nigerian Army and Russia, the COAS expressed the need to rekindle the relationship for their mutual benefit.
“He also solicited the support of the Russian government in the provision of sophisticated equipment to shore up Nigerian Army combat efficiency in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other sundry crimes orchestrating insecurity in some parts of the country.
“He assured the Ambassador of Nigerian Army determination in sustaining the cooperation.
“The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, lauded the contributions of the Nigerian Army in the stability of the continent and described Nigeria as critical on the African continent in terms of military capability, trade and investment.
“He indicated interest in supporting the Nigerian Army through provision of equipment and technical assistance.”