IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

Christopher Musa, minister of defence, has rejected claims in an article as it pertains to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism deal with Turkey.

The widely circulated piece had stated that Nigeria signed a “counter-terrorism cooperation” deal with Turkey with the aim to “methodically institutionalize Jihad across every institution of Nigerian life”.

In a statement issued by Timothy Antigha, his special adviser on media, Musa described the report as an attempt to “discredit a legitimate and commendable effort by the government to build capacity in counterterrorism”.

According to the statement, the agreement with Turkey builds on an earlier defence cooperation pact signed in 2021 and aligns with Nigeria’s long-standing approach of drawing on international expertise.

 “So, how does the recent agreement with Turkey suggest the importation of Jihad into Nigeria? Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a Defence budget of 40 billion US Dollars,” the statement reads.

“Turkey also has a massive domestic industry that exports defence equipment to over 30 countries. Turkey is a mid-tier global military power with expeditionary reach.

“Furthermore, Turkey’s experience in counterterrorism is well established.

 “Turkey has been fighting terrorism continuously since the 1970s. Its experiences rank among the strongest in NATO.

“Therefore, the choice of Turkey as a partner in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism is well informed and grounded. It is not based on religious sentiments or frivolous considerations.”

The statement said the Nigerian government is capable of taking appropriate action in the country’s best interest.

It also added that there are no plans to allow any nation to establish a military base on Nigerian soil. 

Antigha said Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners on counter-terrorism is not new, tracing such efforts to the insurgency launched by Boko Haram in 2009.

He explained that under the administrations of Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria reactivated the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in partnership with Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin.

Backed by the African Union, the force was instrumental in reclaiming territories such as Damasak and Baga in 2015.

He stated that during the same period, Nigeria entered into bilateral security agreements with neighbouring countries and received intelligence and training support from the US, the UK and France.

According to Antigha, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, funding for the MNJTF increased. 

The Buhari administration also signed defence agreements with several countries, including the US and Turkey, which supplied “Bayraktar TB2 drones” for operations in the north-east.

The statement added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has sustained these efforts, had a security dialogue with the US in 2024 which focused on counter-terrorism, maritime security and the threat posed by improvised explosive devices.

“Also, during Tinubu’s state visit, new agreements on defense equipment and training as well as intelligence sharing on Sahel jihadist groups were signed,” Musa said.

 “Nigerians are therefore urged to discountenance and disregard unsubstantiated claims and other efforts to cause disunity, acrimony and fear within the citizenry, but rather continue to support the government in [its] determination to eliminate all threats to national security.”

In January, Nigeria and Turkey signed nine agreements to strengthen bilateral ties during Tinubu’s state visit to the Middle Eastern country, including one on defence cooperation.

The following month, Mehmet Poroy, Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, said Turkey was ready to strengthen military ties with Nigeria because both countries face similar challenges in the fight against terrorism.

Poroy added that Turkey would share its capabilities and resources with Nigeria. (TheCable.Ngr)