‘We faced same challenges’ — Turkey pledges to help Nigeria fight insurgency

Hidayet Bayraktar, Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, has pledged his country’s support to help Nigeria fight terrorism. 

In over a decade, Nigeria has continued to fight insurgency in the north-east, and more recently, banditry in the north-west. 

Bayraktar, who visited Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, on Monday, said his country faced similar challenges, and expressed his readiness to offer support to help Nigeria defeat insurgency. 

“As you know, we were faced with same challenges of terrorism as Nigeria and since my arrival here, terrorism is one of the important issues I have noticed,” he said. 

“As we have gone through the challenge in Turkey, we are ready to assist or to work together and collaborate with Nigeria in this field.

“We have several potentials that we can both share and I know that you have been meeting with some companies in Turkey regarding the defence industry.

“What we can do is to sign some defence cooperation agreement so that we can boost this relationship into the next level.” 

The ambassador called for more collaboration with the Nigerian Army towards ensuring enhanced military ties between the two countries.

Responding, the army chief said his recent visit to Turkey and visit by the ambassador will improve the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.

Yahaya said the armed forces of Nigeria and the Turkish military are poised to forge stronger ties in the areas of equipment and training.

He said the recently-concluded defence fair in Turkey also afforded the Nigerian Army and other security agencies the opportunity to explore more areas of interest.

The army chief also disclosed that efforts are being made to acquire more equipment from Turkish defence industries, and urged the ambassador to fast-track the formalisation of the agreement.

“I look forward to more rewarding engagements between us, and this visit should just be the starting point for further relationship between us for the mutual benefit of both countries,” he added.