Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign MoU to strengthen defence ties

Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Matawalle and representative from Saudi Arabia, sign deal. Photo credit: ARISE news

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Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have entered into a new five-year defence partnership aimed at expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

ARISE News on Tuesday reported that the pact was announced in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Defence, Ahmed Dan Wudil.

The statement said the agreement “will cover strategic collaboration across security, military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and joint operations for sustainable security development.”

The MoU was signed by Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Matawalle, while Dr Khaleed H. Al-Biyari represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The statement added that the agreement “marks a significant step in boosting bilateral relations, cooperation and enhancing collaborative efforts in tackling emerging security challenges in the country.”

The Defence Ministry said, “It welcomes the development, noting the current security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be over.”

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Matawalle had come under scrutiny following an old video in which he, as former Governor of Zamfara State, shared his views on terrorism.

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode described the ensuing coverage as a “vicious media campaign” and called the attacks “shameless and nauseating.”

Defending Matawalle’s record, Fani-Kayode said the minister had shown unwavering loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and played a key role in the counter-terrorism effort.

He noted that the partnership between Matawalle and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu “has resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous eight put together.”

Fani-Kayode criticised the government’s reluctance to publicise security gains, saying, “My only grouse is that… they do not make this public.”

He urged Matawalle to “remain focused” and praised him as “a ruthless and courageous fighter,” adding, “We are with you, my brother, and more importantly, God is behind you.”

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