Nigeria, US army to hold summit on security

The Nigerian Army in conjunction with the United States Army will hold the largest African summit of military senior officers aimed seeking lasting solutions to security challenges on the continent.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operation, Major General David Ahmadu made this known yesterday.

He said the summit “The African Land tagged, Forces Summit”, would commence on Monday April 16 and end on April 19 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Military chiefs from African countries, Europe and the Americas including the USA are expected to attend the summit.

Buratai said, “the summit will afford military leaders of African countries the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships, develop new ways of tackling security challenges on the continent and further facilitate cooperation.

“The forum affords countries the avenue to share experiences on global terrorism and forge common approach to combating transnational threats and crimes, such as small arms proliferation and terrorism”.

Buratai added that the summit is a land mark event which would provide the army the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might to the largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent.

He added that the activities lined up for the summit would include military demonstration exercise that would entail firing and the use of pyrotechnics.

“The exercise will take place at the 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada commencing with rehearsals on the 12th and 14th April 2018,” Buratai said.

He called on residents of the area to remain calm as all safety measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.

Topical issues such as “Command and control in African Operational Environment’, Collapse of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria caliphate and the implications on African stability and security will be discussed.