By Our Correspondent
National News – President Bola Tinubu has secured a military collaboration agreement with France to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and other security threats.
Tinubu disclosed this on Sunday during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
The President revealed that the deal followed a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, focusing on providing military equipment, training, and operational support for Nigerian security forces.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria is seeking international partnerships to confront growing insecurity across the country.
He said the Federal Government is ready to utilise its diplomatic goodwill and available credit lines to acquire modern military equipment and capacity-building support needed to defeat terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in several regions.
The President explained that insecurity remains one of the biggest challenges facing his administration and warned that without improved security, economic development and national progress could be undermined.
He emphasised that collaboration between the Federal Government and state governors would be crucial to achieving lasting victory against insurgency and violent crimes.
Tinubu also noted that discussions during his recent visit to the United Kingdom included negotiations on acquiring military hardware and strengthening security cooperation with international partners.
The French partnership, he said, would complement these efforts by providing additional equipment and training to Nigerian security agencies.
Nigeria has been battling multiple security threats including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in parts of the North-West and North-Central, separatist agitations in the South-East, and widespread kidnapping across the country.
During the meeting, Tinubu also addressed economic concerns, warning that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East could trigger inflation and increase fuel prices, which may affect transportation costs and food prices in Nigeria.
He further extended condolences to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum over the recent bomb attacks in Maiduguri that killed 23 people and injured more than 100 others.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to investing in advanced technology, logistics, and military equipment to ensure Nigeria ultimately defeats terrorism and restores national security.
