By Musa Umar Bologi
Abuja
United States has restated its resolve to work with the Nigerian Army in addressing numerous security challenges confronting the country.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Symington commended the army for working with civil authority in tackling internal security challenges in the country.
He said: “I am aware of the extent to which this nation – Nigeria depends on its military. I am aware of the work and sacrifice of your soldiers.
“I am aware of how important it is that civilians, army, police and civilians defence teams work together in common effort to ensure safety, security and prosperity.”
Symington further assured that his country would work with the army and other security outfits to ensure safety in the country and West Africa sub-region.
He acknowledged the role Nigeria recently played in enthroning democracy in The Gambia.
In his response, Gen. Buratai thanked the ambassador for the visit. He said the US and Nigeria as well as with the Nigerian army have had a long standing relations.
“Apart from diplomatic relations, we also have military relationship in terms of training, equipment and logistics,” Gen. Buratai said.
He said the US had been assisting the military in fight against Boko Haram terrorism, adding that they are also in addressing international crimes like proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The army chief said that the US currently had some elements of its Special Forces and experts in the North East, who were working closely with Operation Lafiya Dole.
“We appreciate that support in terms of provision of ISR – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform and indeed providing the needed intelligence in support of our operations in the North East,” he said.
“I want to state here that this (visit) is a new chapter in establishing trust, the much needed trust between our countries and armed forces, particularly the army,” he said.
Gen. Buratai, however, solicited the understanding of the US in the area of issues of human rights observance in the operations in the North East and other areas.
He said: “This – human rights is critical in an era of democracy where the rule of law and observance of human rights is key.
“We are committed to the observance of human rights; one of our rules of engagement is to defend human rights.
“We are bounded by international law on armed conflict, all issues of human rights violation are properly investigated and punishment meted out where necessary.
“Human rights violation is not tolerated in the army.”
Also, the Ukraine ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Valerii Aleksandruk paid a courtesy to the Chief of Army Staff at the Army Headquarters where he called for military cooperation between Ukraine and Nigeria, especially in areas of supply and maintenance of equipment.
Aleksandruk described Nigeria as an important country in the African continent. He said Ukraine had supplied a number of equipment to the army to fight terrorists in the North East.
Buratai stressed the need for Ukraine to strengthen its relations with Nigeria.
