ABUJA – The Defence Headquarters says the Sri-Lankan military has pledged its support to the Nigerian Armed Forces in its on-going counter terrorism campaign.
This assurance by Sri-Lankan military is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja and signed by Maj-.Gen- Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information.
The statement said that a high powered military delegation from Sri-Lanka held an exclusive brainstorming session on counter terrorism campaign with the military high command at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
It said that the delegation led by the Sri-Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Jagath Jayasuriya, consisted of the country’s Chiefs of Army and Naval Staff as well as the Chief of National Intelligence.
It said the delegation also had other high ranking officers, all of whom made presentations relating on their country’s experience in handling terrorists’ insurgency associated with the Tamil Tigers.
According to the statement, the CDS of Sri-Lankan, who opened the session of presentations, said the delegation considered it a good opportunity to share their experiences with Nigeria.
He noted that the situation in the country had a lot of similarity with what obtained in Sri-Lanka when it faced the problem of terrorism.
“Extensive security briefs were then delivered by the Sri Lankan CDS and other service chiefs from the Sri-Lankan military to explain the concepts and strategies adopted by its military in the fight against terrorism.”
The statement said that the Sri-Lankan officers gave details on how the country practised what they referred to as “total security” which involved the translation of all the nation’s assets into military power to counter the scourge of terrorism. ‘’
It said that they suggested that the military needed to enjoy the support of the entire country in its efforts in counter terrorism.
It added that the series of presentation was followed by an extensive interactive session between officers of both countries.
In his closing remarks at the session, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh commended the visiting CDS and his delegation for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces in its efforts at ending insecurity in the country
He assured the delegation that the Nigerian military was seriously considering the counter insurgency experience of the Sri-Lankan military.
“This is with a view to identifying those areas that could be operationally beneficial to Nigeria in its battle to defeat terrorism,” Badeh said.
Badeh also reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian military to protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.
The statement recalled that Sri-Lanka is acclaimed as having achieved the reputation of effectively defeating terrorism in its territory. (NAN)
