Anti-Terror Efforts: Tinubu Secures Defense Cooperation Agreement with France

President Bola Tinubu revealed on Sunday that Nigeria has obtained French cooperation on military equipment and support, following an extensive conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.

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This announcement was made during a meeting with governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where he was observing the Eid-el-Fitr holidays after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

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According to excerpts from the President's address to the governors, Tinubu stated that Nigeria is prepared to utilize its goodwill and existing lines of credit to acquire necessary equipment and training for security forces in the fight against terrorism.

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He mentioned that he had a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, securing collaboration with France for equipment and support, and is making efforts to contact other nations for assistance.

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Tinubu described insecurity as the next major challenge confronting his administration, emphasizing the need for collective effort to achieve victory, stating that the next phase of their struggle is the challenge of insecurity in the country.

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He expressed confidence that governors are mindful of the challenge, noting that insecurity remains an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity, and that he is making efforts to ensure collective victory over tyranny.

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One of the major discussions during his state visit to the UK centered on military equipment acquisition, with Tinubu stating that he had a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, securing collaboration with France for equipment and support.

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At the meeting attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu also addressed economic concerns, acknowledging that the Middle East crisis would affect inflation and purchasing power in Nigeria, leading to transportation problems and food price increases.

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The President expressed appreciation to the governors for responding to his invitation on short notice, describing their attendance as impressive and demonstrating sincerity, commitment, and the value of friendship and togetherness.

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Tinubu called on governors to focus on caring for the vulnerable in their states, stating that while they are all doing well, they can do better, and extended condolences to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State over last Monday's bombings.

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The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to investing in technology and equipment to defeat terrorism and other security threats across the country, declaring that they must defeat terrorism and all criminal acts.

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Nigeria has been battling multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, separatist agitations in the South-East, and kidnapping across various parts of the country.

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France has historically maintained military cooperation with several West African countries and has been involved in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region, where terrorist groups have exploited security vacuums to expand their operations.

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The meeting with governors comes barely a week after the Maiduguri bomb blasts that killed 23 people and injured 108 others in coordinated suicide attacks, prompting President Tinubu to direct security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and approve additional equipment and operational support.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Tuesday, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government is investing more in equipment and logistics to boost the fight against terrorism.

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The President's disclosure follows his state visit to the UK, where he held discussions with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Nigeria and the UK sealed new export agreements and discussed deepening cooperation on security matters.