Nigeria, China Open Talks on Military Equipment Production, Intelligence Sharing
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
In a renewed bid to contain the challenge of insecurity in the country, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, yesterday, said the federal government was in talks with the Chinese government to engender partnership in the area of military equipment production, intelligence sharing and technology transfer.
This came as Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops had decimated 99 terrorists and arrested 198 insurgents across the country.
The minister made the assertion when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, who was on a courtesy visit to the Ship House, Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
He said both countries opened bi-lateral talks with a view to developing relations with Chinese companies on transfer of technology and military equipment production.
According to him, the interest of the government of China to cooperate with Nigeria in the areas of technology transfer and training, was encouraging.
“I was in China to attend a forum, which was very successful and we had a very good discussion centered on the transfer of technology, military training and the protection of the interest of Chinese corporations in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking further, he said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained passionate with the private sector involvement in the renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just signed the Defence Industry Act as a guide on the development of the defence industry. The Act provides a level playing grounds for all investors,” he said.
He, however, called on the Chinese Ambassador to encourage more investors into Nigeria economy, saying, “We need serious investors in steel, power and energy to help actualise our defence industry technology. Mr President understands the need for development for private sector to prosper.
“We are open to power, steel and defence industry to have these investments actualised in the country. Chinese companies have the potential and technology to invest in our country,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Cui Jian Chun, said China had strategic interest in cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of military operations, economic cooperation and international cooperation.
He said China and Nigeria had investment in security, education and economy, adding that, “Nigeria has great potential to develop new economy.”
He said Nigeria had abundant natural and human resources that could support China Corporations based in Nigeria., adding: “Nigeria is a large country just like China and we are willing to build our military industries in Nigeria to support local production of military equipment.”
At a media briefing in Abuja, on the ongoing military operations in different parts of the country, Buba said “troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 139 kidnapped hostages”.
He said troops in the South-South region of the country denied the oil bunkerers of the estimated sum of N1, 018,483,900.00 only. Furthermore, troops recovered 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition.
