The Nigerian Army and Bangladesh are deepening strategic defence cooperation through expanded military training, professional education and operational knowledge exchange.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, stated this when he received the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, on a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Mr Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was prepared to share operational experiences in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and drone warfare technology with Bangladesh.

He also offered to share the army’s expertise in the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons.

The COAS directed relevant Army Headquarters departments to engage their counterparts on joint training and strategic frameworks to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Nigerian Army.

Mr Shaibu also approved the establishment of the National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association to unite Nigerian military officers who had undertaken strategic courses in Bangladesh.

He said the initiative would enhance collaboration and institutionalise training exchanges, technical capacity development and diplomatic cooperation between the two armed forces.

The COAS noted that the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division were among the Nigerian military officers who attended Bangladeshi military institutions.

In his remarks, Mr Kabir expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The envoy also commended Nigeria’s contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, adding that 154 Nigerian officers had participated in courses at the Bangladesh National Defence College.

Mr Kabir advocated expanded institutional exchanges through foreign service academies and military programmes to strengthen strategic leadership capacity and bilateral cooperation.

(NAN)