President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has signed an agreement that will ensure Russia’s supply of lethal weapons to Nigeria to curb growing insecurity.
The deal is expected to serve as a military-technical cooperation agreement with the Russian government.
A statement issued by Putin read: “The agreement on military-technical cooperation between both countries provides a legal framework for the supply of military equipment, provision of after-sales services.”
“The signing of the Military-Technical Cooperation Agreement is a landmark development in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Russian Federation.”
While declaring open the ‘seventh international military-technical forum – Army 2021’, President Vladimir Putin revealed that contracts for the supply of the military equipment had been concluded.
He said: “Massive mutually beneficial portfolios of contracts for the supply of Russian military goods are concluded on the forum‘s sidelines every year.
“The forum has on display over 28,000 units of modern military arms and equipment ranging from small firearms to artillery, tanks, and military combat aircraft.”
According to the Nigerian government, the agreement offers a legal framework for the supply and servicing of military equipment, training of personnel, and technology transfer.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Bashir Magashi, who led top military officials delegation to Russia, signed on behalf of the Buhari regime.
The Nigerian ambassador to Russia, Abdullahi Shehu, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Auwal Gambo, and the army and air force representatives were members of the Nigerian delegation at the signing ceremony.
