By Frank Momoh
As part of its effort to curb internal security challenges in Nigeria, the federal government and the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
have agreed to continue to work together to build the capacity of the security agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
The two countries renewed this commitment in Abuja when the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola received on a courtesy call, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Fahad Altaffag.
The Minister disclosed that strengthening the relationship between the two countries which has existed for years, will further boost the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in ensuring the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians.
“Collaboration on security between the 2 ministries will strengthen the government’s capacity to solve internal security challenges in Nigeria.” Aregbesola, said.
He assured that Nigeria would continue to collaborate with the UAE in the areas of capacity building, educational development, fire disaster management, intelligence gathering and border security management system, noting that the security system of the UAE was never in doubt and as such, Nigeria can learn a lot from the UAE.
“When we have intellectual and physical capacities, we will not only overcome security challenges, but also neutralise them,” he said.
Earlier, the Ambassador, said his country has had discussions with Nigeria in the past on ways to work together to solve internal security challenges in Nigeria.
He said that his visit was to consolidate on the existing cooperation between the two countries particularly, on security matters with the view to providing necessary support to Buhari administration’s resolve to create conducive environment for foreign investment so as to revitalise the economy.
He pledged his country’s support for the present administration in its resolve to ensure internal security to Nigerians so as to move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.