The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie has assured the Nigerian Armed Forces of the Chinese government’s readiness to partner in the current fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
He gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin in his office at the Defence headquarters, Abuja. The Chinese Ambassador expressed his government’s confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces in their fight against the insurgency. In particular, Mr. Xiaojie expressed his faith in the ability of the Nigerian military to achieve peace and security to the areas troubled by Boko Haram. He also called for stronger ties between the two countries’ armed forces in the areas of intelligence gathering and sharing as well as training.
Responding to the Chinese Ambassador’s comments, the CDS expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government for the hand of fellowship it had extended to the Nigerian military at a critical time in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
In a related development, the Acting Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Nigeria, Major General Alfred Claude Nelson-Williams (retd) paid a courtesy call on the CDS, during which he lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and indomitable courage at defending the nation, especially in bringing peace and security to not only Nigeria but to the West African Sub-Region.
The High Commissioner stated that the purpose of the visit was to appreciate the great role the Nigerian Armed Forces played at bringing peace to Sierra Leone during its civil war and the training of Sierra Leone military officers at the National Defence College and Command and Staff College, Jaji.
According to him, Nigeria sacrificed human and materials during Sierra Leone’s civil war to bring peace and succour to the country. He said that government and people of Sierra Leone would be eternally grateful to Nigeria forever. He used the opportunity to assured Nigerian Armed Forces of winning the war against insurgency and solicited for a continuous and stronger ties between the two countries.
Colonel Rabe Abubakar
Acting Director Defence Information
Source: Sahara Reporters