Abuja, Riyadh Seal 5-Year Defence Pact To Strengthen Security Frontlines
By MAHMOOD MALIK MUSA (M.M.M.) IBRAHIM
NIGERIA and Saudi Arabia have formalised a new defence partnership aimed at enhancing military capability and security cooperation. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Abuja by Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle and Saudi defence official Khaled Al-Biyari, commits both nations to deeper collaboration in training, joint operations, intelligence exchange, logistics and technical support.
The renewable five-year agreement is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, armed banditry and other nationwide security challenges. Defence officials say the MoU will help modernise Nigeria’s defence systems and expand the strategic reach of its armed forces.
The pact represents a major step in the growing bilateral relationship between the two countries, which already cooperate through religious, diplomatic and economic channels. With Nigeria confronting insurgency in the North-east, banditry in the North-west, separatist tensions in the South-east and continued oil theft in the South-south, the strengthened alliance is seen as critical to bolstering national security.
