Germany begins supply of military hardware to Nigeria

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.to-nigeria/</div>