Germany begins supply of military hardware to Nigeria

By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja - The German government said Monday night that it would commence

the supply of military hardware to support Nigeria's effort to address

security challenges in its North East and Niger Delta regions, before

the end of 2016.

Permanent Secretary, German Foreign Office, Mr. Markus Elderer, stated

this in Abuja at the meeting of defence session of the Nigeria-Germany

Bi-National Commission.

He said the decision to support Nigerian security forces towards

addressing security challenges was at the instance of a request by

President Muhammadu Buhari at the last G-7 summit hosted by Germany.

The German official said the equipment involved comprised ground

surveillance equipment, anti-mine equipment, gun boats and others

adding that Germany would commence the supply of the equipment as soon

as the aid agreement was signed between the representatives of both

countries.

Elderer said the military aid to Nigeria would also include training

of Nigerian military personnel especially military engineers in the

handling and maintenance of the equipment.

"It was during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Germany at

the occasion of the G-7 summit that it was decided that we will very

practically help to address Nigeria's security concerns" he said.

"The Nigerian government requested equipment support and military

training so we are incorporating all of these in this agreement.

"We are doing this through training, through equipment supply like the

ground radar system, mine clearing equipment and mobile health units

for the security forces in order for them to carry out these difficult

tasks of combating terrorism.

"We are almost at the finishing line and we are just waiting the

signing of the agreement so that we can begin implementation, I think

everything will be done this year" he said.

Elderer identified other aspects of the agreement as bio-security,

mopping of small arms in the country, police training and health

support.

In his address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Amb.

Danjuma Sheni noted that the efforts of the German government to

support Nigeria's quest for peace and security in the sub region was

laudable.

He said Nigeria would leverage on the opportunities created through

the Nigeria-Germany Bi-National Commission to boost other aspects of

relations that was beneficial to both countries.

Sheni said the secretariat of the commission was working tirelessly to

ensure that the agreement was signed before the end of June.