Receiving the items from the German Minister of Defence Ursula Von Der Leyen, his Nigerian counterpart, Mansur Dan-Ali, noted that the existing relationship between both countries…
PHOTO:AFP
As international cooperation heightens to combat global terrorism, Nigeria has received 180 metal detectors, radar stations as well as field hospitals and other technical assistance from Germany to boost counter-insurgency operations in the North East region of the country.
Also, the German government provided fresh €3 million grant (about N1.5 billion) for the procurement of surveillance equipment, mobile medical care units and associated support services for the nation’s armed forces.
Receiving the items from the German Minister of Defence Ursula Von Der Leyen, his Nigerian counterpart, Mansur Dan-Ali, noted that the existing relationship between both countries had been further strengthened by the gesture.
He said the capacity-boosting items were facilitated through the German Technical Advisory Group and its Enhance and Enable Initiative by the memorandum of understanding undertaken to cover 2012 -2016.
“Some of them include two mobile medical care units with intensive care facilities as well as training for personnel and maintenance.
“The German government also donated Vallon metal detector/counter-improvised explosive device, explosive ordinance disposal equipment. Also included is training for personnel and maintenance of devices. We also received three mobile tactical ground surveillance radar systems for border security in the North East,” Dan-Ali disclosed.
He added that a second phase of the agreement, covering 2017-2020, was being facilitated.
At a joint press conference, Der Leyen pointed out that fighting terrorism was a dangerous venture that required strong collaboration as well as trained quality personnel and equipment, because it was “hot but very important fight.”
