Nigerian Army calls for Strengthening of military cooperation with Spain

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has appreciated the offer made by Spain to strenghten the existing ties between the Nigerian Army and the Spanish Armed Forces.

General Lagbaja made this known when he received the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr. Juan Ignacio Sanz, on a courtesy call to the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. 

The Army Chief called on the Ambassador to look into other areas of cooperation, especially in areas of technological advancement and for the Nigerian Army to benefit from collaborations from the military establishments in Spain.

He further appealed to the Ambassador to facilitate benefits from the European Union military cooperation and support for the Nigerian Army, and to also extend the same to the ECOWAS standby Force. 

General Lagbaja appreciated Spain for its support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) through the European Union, and for its support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria through exchange of knowledge. 

"I acknowledge the offer by the Ambassador to bring closer ties with the Spanish Armed Forces and to look into other areas of benefits especially with your technological advancement, for our militaries to also benefit from collaborations from the military establishments in Spain". 

The Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr. Juan Ignacio Sanz expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja for the sacrifices of the men in uniform to keep the country safe despite myriads of security challenges. 

The Ambassador highlighted how important the contribution of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria is to keeping the unity of the country and called on the citizenry to continue to render suport to the security agencies. 

"For Nigeria to thrive and enjoy democracy, security has to be priority and I have seen the determination of the Nigerian Army, the council of the European union are ready to support the efforts in the Lake Chad Basin, we are ready to keep the cooperation going and to continue collaborations" stated the Spanish Ambassador.