…Security Hot Buttons to Dominate Bilaterals as Airstrikes Kill Over 100 Terrorists in Kwara
By Abu Adamu
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today, January 26, for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, with defence and security cooperation emerging as key hot-button issues in the expanding bilateral engagement between both countries.
According to a statement issued yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is aimed at deepening strategic ties, with particular emphasis on security collaboration, alongside cooperation in energy, education, social development, innovation and aviation.
The Türkiye visit comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s intensified military campaign against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, as well as Ankara’s growing global footprint in defence manufacturing, drone technology and counter-terrorism support. Analysts say the timing underscores Abuja’s push to strengthen external security partnerships as internal security challenges persist.
The visit follows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official trip to Nigeria in October 2021, which marked a turning point in defence, trade and diplomatic relations between both countries.
During the state visit, Nigeria and Türkiye are expected to hold high-level political and diplomatic talks focused on shared interests in defence, finance, communications, trade and investment. Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are slated for signing, covering military cooperation, scientific research, energy development, technical cooperation, media and communications, and diplomatic protocol.
A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also take place, bringing together investors from both countries to explore opportunities, particularly in defence-related industries, infrastructure and energy.
Members of President Tinubu’s delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson. Also on the delegation are the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
Others include the Ministers of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s security forces recorded major battlefield gains at the weekend, as the Nigerian Air Force intensified airstrikes against terrorists and bandits in Kwara State, killing over 100 and destroying several criminal hideouts.
Military air operations neutralised no fewer than 100 terrorists who had been terrorising communities across Edu, Ifelodun and Patigi Local Government Areas in recent months. Several other suspected criminals were reported to have sustained injuries during the coordinated strikes.
Findings indicated that the airstrikes targeted identified terrorist strongholds in Baba Sango area of Ifelodun LGA, Gbugbu in Edu LGA and Lata in Patigi LGA.
A military source disclosed that the sustained operations have dismantled multiple camps, forcing surviving elements to flee. However, the source warned that operations remain threatened by informants leaking troop movements.
Confirming the development in Ilorin on Sunday, a senior military officer involved in the operations said the strikes were part of a broader push to dismantle terrorist networks in the state.
“The ongoing operations have thrown the bandits into disarray, but the issue of moles within communities remains a serious concern,” the officer said.
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