February 19, 2016: The Nigerian Army and the United States have renewed bilateral ties inclined towards a security pact to professionalize Nigerian Security forces.
A special training programme for the 145 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna was declared open by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin where he said that several initiates have been launched to reaffirm the commitment of the US to Nigeria.
The military exercise will help improve the skill and capabilities of the Nigerian security forces especially as the face the major Boko Haram challenge. Gen. Olonisakin said that the training will be doubled with modern high-tech equipment provided by the Buhari government.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratia, said the security challenges that had confronted the Nigerian Army in contemporary times were remarkably different from the past ones, noting that the recent challenges require dynamic command and leadership, especially of junior leaders to overcome.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwhistle urged the Nigerian government to foster ways to address the issue of Internally displaced people as it is first step towards addressing the insecurity issue.
The US has promised continued support of the government of Nigeria in tackling the Boko Haram terrorists which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.
