By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Nigeria has moved to strengthen its global security alliances as the Army sealed a deeper military partnership with Pakistan in a strategic push to confront the changing face of terrorism and insurgency.
The development emerged at the Army Headquarters where the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, hosted Pakistan’s Defence Adviser, Kamran Mushtaq, in what officials described as a high-level security consultation.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel APPOLONIA ANELE, the talks went beyond ceremonial exchanges, focusing on operational cooperation, intelligence sharing and defence technology transfer between both countries.
Gen Shaibu emphasised that the evolving nature of terrorism requires coordinated international response, noting that closer engagement would sharpen Nigeria’s combat readiness and battlefield effectiveness.
He identified key cooperation areas:
joint military training
intelligence collaboration
defence equipment support
operational planning coordination
According to him, the partnership will enhance interoperability between both armies and strengthen counter-terror operations.
The Army Chief pointed to similarities in both nations’ security experiences prolonged insurgency campaigns and asymmetric warfare.
He highlighted Nigerian officers’ advanced training in Pakistan and announced plans for Pakistani officers to attend programmes at Nigeria’s National Defence College, describing education exchange as a strategic force multiplier.
Gen Shaibu added that improved procurement cooperation and intelligence systems would give the army technological advantage in modern warfare.
Mushtaq delivered goodwill from Asim Munir, praising Nigerian troops’ resilience in ongoing operations.
He pledged Pakistan’s readiness to expand assistance through specialised instruction, technical support and supply of surveillance and communication equipment developed from decades of counter-terrorism operations.
Both countries reaffirmed commitment to continuous officer exchange programmes and joint professional military education, stressing that modern threats now operate across borders.
Security analysts said the alliance signals Nigeria’s increasing reliance on international military partnerships to confront complex threats ranging from insurgency to transnational armed networks.
For defence planners, the objective is clear: fight local wars with global experience.
