The United Kingdom Minister of State for Armed Forces and Veterans, Mr James Heappey, said the UK government would deepen synergy with the Nigerian military to enhance existing relations between the two countries.
Heappey gave the assurance when he led his team on a courtesy call to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that Nigeria remained one of the great friends of the UK, adding that the relationship between the armed forces and particularly the armies of the two countries, was very close.
According to him, the customs and traditions of the Nigerian army are almost identical to many of the customs and traditions of the British Army.
“Many Nigerian officers have trained or come to study with distinction in the UK.
“And over many years, particularly the last decade or so, the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) and Operation Turus have been a fantastic vehicle through which to strengthen those ties.
“And so I come with a new government in Nigeria and new chiefs appointed to introduce myself, to establish new friendships and to build on what has gone before.”
