The UK Government has praised the Nigerian Army for its crucial role in ensuring the peace and stability of the West African region and the entire continent.
The applauds were given by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff of the United Kingdom, Lt. Gen. Roly Walker, on Tuesday during a visit to the Army Headquarters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, where he commended the force for its effective peacekeeping missions.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
“Walker lauded the Nigerian Army for its significant role in maintaining peace and stability in Africa and the West African Subregion.
“General Walker appreciated the NA’s steadfast commitment to peacekeeping efforts across the continent, highlighting its pivotal role in addressing regional security challenges and the need for collaborative efforts to address persistent security concerns,” the statement read.
“Speaking on the upcoming security and defence dialogue between the UK and Nigeria, General Walker expressed the commitment of the United Kingdom to strengthening partnership with the Nigeria Army and reaffirmed continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security and stability. ”
In response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, stated that the Nigerian Army has benefited greatly from the cordial working relationship between the military and the British Military Advisory and Training Team in the war against insurgency and terrorism.
The Army Chief also recognized BMATT’s assistance to the NA, particularly concerningregard to capacity building.
He said that as a result, the Nigerian Army’s involvement in combating terrorism in the country and the West African region has considerably increased.
More than 640 Nigerian soldiers were deployed to African nations for peacekeeping operations between 2021 and 2022.