FG opposes using foreign mercenaries to combat insecurity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its opposition to the use of foreign mercenaries to address the country’s security challenges, insisting that such measures do not offer a sustainable solution. Instead, the government has expressed a strong interest in collaborating with China to localize the production of military equipment, thereby reducing reliance on external procurement and the delays associated with it.

This stance was emphasized on Thursday during a joint press briefing by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The visit underscores the deepening partnership between Nigeria and China, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strategic cooperation in addressing regional security challenges and fostering economic growth.

Speaking at the briefing, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that private military companies, regardless of their origin, are not the solution to Nigeria’s security issues. He called for collective efforts within the region, stressing Nigeria’s leadership role in addressing peace and security challenges on the continent.

“Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its capacity to lead efforts in tackling security challenges across Africa. The idea of allowing others to solve our problems for us is not acceptable. We must focus on collaborative approaches and rely on our leadership to address these challenges,” Tuggar stated.

He underscored the need for local production of both kinetic and non-kinetic military equipment, adding, “We are looking to work with partners like China to localize the production of military hardware. This will eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure we are self-sufficient in addressing our security needs.”

The visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi builds on the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in 2024.

Tuggar highlighted discussions on mutual economic and political interests, as well as agreements in areas such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and petrochemicals.

Wang Yi commended Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and its plans to issue panda bonds in China under the currency swap agreement.

source: tribuneonline.com

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