The German Deputy Defence Minister, Dr Ralf Brauksiepe, has said that Germany is on the side of Nigeria to curtail Boko Haram insurgents. He pledged his country’s total commitment to the Nigerian Armed Forces in their quest to defeat the violent terrorist group in country.

Dr Brauksiepe made the pledge on Monday when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja to further boost German-Nigerian military bilateral relations.

While congratulating the CDS for the tremendous success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North East of Nigeria, Dr Brauksiepe also observed that the Nigerian Armed Forces have displayed exceptional competence and professionalism in the fight against insurgents and criminal elements in line with global best practices.

According to Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, “The Deputy Defence Minister further expressed his country’s determination to explore avenues of common economic and security interest that may benefit both countries especially in the area of curbing sea piracy within the gulf of Guinea.”

Abubakar in a statement said that in his welcome address, General Olonisakin noted that the Nigerian military has over the years benefited a lot from the German Government through various military aids. He quoted the CDS as soliciting for more support from the German Government in the area of provision of logistics support, intelligence gathering and technical assistance for the Multi-national Joint Task Force established to check the activities of terrorists in the West African sub-region. “He said that Nigerian military would no doubt continue to partner with German military on defence related matters to enhance the bilateral cooperation which has been in existence for over five decades,” Abubakar said.

He said that the German Deputy Defence Minister was accompanied by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, the Defence Attachee and some senior military officials from Berlin, while the CDS received the German delegation in company of his principal staff officers.

•Photo shows General Olonisakin.

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