The Russian Government has pledged to share its newly developed counterterrorism strategies with Nigeria to strengthen the country’s ongoing efforts against insurgency.
This commitment was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Lieutenant-General Andrei Averianov, a Russian envoy, made the offer during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, in Abuja.
Gusau explained that Averianov noted Russia’s active engagement in special operations across 39 countries, during which it developed innovative methods to combat emerging threats. The envoy expressed Russia’s readiness to share these techniques with Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
He recalled that it had been 80 years since Russia fought against Nazism, but said the global security landscape had since evolved, with asymmetric threats such as Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram now presenting new challenges.
Averianov conveyed Russia’s enthusiasm for playing a part in securing Nigeria’s future generations and reaffirmed the country’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts. He recognised Nigeria’s pivotal role as a regional power and a major stakeholder in West Africa’s stability.
Russia had been closely observing and learning from Nigeria’s counterterrorism initiatives over the years, Averianov was quoted as saying.
“As brothers in arms, we are prepared to assist, particularly through the provision of a full range of weaponry required by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to advance their campaign against terror,” he stated.
Responding to the delegation, General Musa, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian military, welcomed the Russian officials warmly.
Musa acknowledged that both Nigeria and Russia were navigating difficult periods, each enduring the loss of personnel and the need for specialised operations to address security threats.
He expressed gratitude for Russia’s continued support and noted the longstanding ties between the two nations. Musa called for an expansion of their collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and joint operations.
The CDS stressed the importance of exchanging instructors and students between the two countries for training purposes.
“For the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, there is a pressing need to broaden training in special operations, as well as to acquire special boats, fast attack craft, and amphibious warfare training,” he said.
Musa also requested support for the maintenance of Russian-made military platforms currently in use by Nigeria’s armed forces, many of which are presently unserviceable.
He appealed for assistance in providing spare parts and the deployment of Russian technical experts to Nigeria for on-site maintenance, or alternatively, for arrangements to backload equipment to Russia for necessary repairs.
The CDS further called for improved intelligence sharing between Russia and Nigeria, pointing out that Russia had acquired significant experience and capabilities through its extended operations, particularly within the Sahel region.
Musa thanked the Russian delegation for personally delivering military equipment and dispatching a team of experts to assist with equipment testing.
He concluded by affirming that Russia had honoured its commitments to Nigeria as previously pledged.
