, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged to deepen military cooperation between Nigeria and Burundi as both){kind=link}
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Abuja – Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged to deepen military cooperation between Nigeria and Burundi as both countries move to strengthen regional security and intensify the fight against terrorism and other transnational crimes across Africa.
The commitment was made on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Burundi’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Edouard Nduwimana, to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
General Shaibu described Nigeria and Burundi as enduring partners united by shared African values and a common resolve to promote peace and stability on the continent. He said the Nigerian Army is ready to expand bilateral defence ties through increased military training, personnel exchange programmes, institutional capacity building and strategic exposure visits designed to improve the operational effectiveness of both armed forces.
According to the Army Chief, closer collaboration in military education, intelligence sharing and regional security initiatives has become increasingly important in confronting terrorism, violent extremism and other cross-border threats confronting African nations.
He also praised Burundi’s efforts in promoting national reconciliation and stability, stressing that sustained military engagement and strategic dialogue would further strengthen mutual trust and defence cooperation between the two countries.
In his response, Ambassador Nduwimana conveyed the goodwill of Burundian President General Évariste Ndayishimiye and commended the Nigerian Army for its professionalism and leading role in counter-terrorism operations and peace support missions across the continent.
The envoy appealed for increased opportunities for Burundian military personnel to benefit from training in Nigerian military institutions through scholarships, specialised courses and other capacity-building programmes. He also called for expanded joint military exercises, instructor exchange programmes and stronger collaboration in peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations.
The meeting underscored the growing commitment of Nigeria and Burundi to forging stronger defence partnerships aimed at enhancing regional stability, improving military capabilities and building a united African front against evolving security threats.
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