The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and the Swiss government have agreed to strengthen their existing defence collaboration, with a renewed focus on non-kinetic partnerships aimed at promoting peace and stability.

The understanding was reached on Thursday when the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

The is contained in a statement by the director, defence information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, on Thursday in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Egloff reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence cooperation with Nigeria, particularly through non-kinetic approaches to security challenges.

He said Switzerland was keen on supporting humanitarian engagement, peacebuilding initiatives and programmes that address the root causes of insecurity through dialogue, development support and institutional partnerships.

In his response, Mr Oluyede welcomed the Swiss envoy and expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s sustained interest in Nigeria’s security and stability.

The defence chief acknowledged Switzerland’s contributions to non-kinetic efforts in the country, noting that such initiatives were critical in complementing ongoing military operations.

He expressed optimism that the relationship between both countries would continue to grow stronger, yielding more impactful outcomes in areas of mutual interest, especially peacebuilding and strategic cooperation.

He said the meeting underscored the shared commitment of Nigeria and Switzerland to constructive engagement and collaborative approaches to addressing contemporary security challenges. 

(NAN)