By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has expressed Nigeria’s desire to learn from Egypt’s effective counter-terrorism efforts in North Sinai as a means to combat terrorism and banditry within the country.

The Minister made these remarks on Thursday night in Abuja during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Egyptian Armed Forces Day, celebrating the ‘Glorious October War Victory’ of 1973.

He commended Egypt’s continued military strength and commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, even five decades after the war in 1973, noting that the North African country has also achieved success in defeating terrorism in North Sinai.

According to the Minister, ‘’As you may be aware, Nigeria is also battling terrorism and banditry in certain parts of the country, and we are adopting methods similar to those employed by the Egyptian government. ‘’Our counter-terrorism efforts in Nigeria are centered on a comprehensive approach that includes reconstruction and development programmes aimed at improving the lives of our citizens.

‘’It is our hope that our armed forces can draw valuable lessons from your experiences to address our own challenges. ‘’Currently, we have Nigerian military officers undergoing various levels of training in Egypt, and we count on the training they receive will impact on our operations,” he said.

On the ‘Glorious October War Victory’ of 1973, the Minister acknowledged the historical significance of this war, emphasizing its relevance to African nations, notably Nigeria.

‘’Indeed, the Glorious October Victory resonates with all African countries, particularly Nigeria. It not only represents a significant victory for the Egyptian armed forces but also unique expression of the nation’s will and people’s unity.

‘’This victory in 1973 marked a turning point in Egypt’s history, as it resulted in the recovery of one of its vital territories. It is heartwarming to see that five decades later, Egypt still remains a formidable military might with a strong commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty,’’ he said.

Drawing parallels between Egypt and Nigeria’s post-conflict rebuilding experiences, he said both nations have risen to become prominent African economies.

Abubakar underscored the long-standing warm and cordial relations between Egypt and Nigeria, underpinned by the establishment of diplomatic ties since the 1960s, adding that these relations have flourished through cooperation and collaboration in various sectors, including telecommunications, healthcare, and defence.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Ahmed Fouad Ibrahim, the Egyptian Defence Attache to Nigeria, emphasized Egypt’s historic triumph in the October War, its commitment to peace, and efforts to strengthen Egypt-Nigeria relations.