‎Tinubu secures French military support to tackle terrorism

‎President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that Nigeria has secured military assistance from France as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other security challenges facing the country.
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‎Tinubu made this known during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos on Sunday, March 22, 2026, after returning from a recent foreign trip, where he held discussions with several world leaders.
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‎According to him, the Federal Government is exploring partnerships with friendly nations to acquire military equipment and training needed to combat insecurity.
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‎The President said he had a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron, which led to an agreement for collaboration on military equipment and operational support.
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‎He noted that Nigeria is prepared to use existing diplomatic goodwill and credit arrangements to obtain the resources required to strengthen the capacity of the armed forces.
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‎Tinubu described insecurity as one of the biggest challenges confronting his administration, stressing that defeating terrorism is necessary for national development and stability.
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‎He urged governors to remain committed to supporting security efforts in their states, adding that collective action is needed to overcome the threat.
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‎He also revealed that the acquisition of military hardware was one of the key issues discussed during his recent engagements abroad, including talks held during his visit to the United Kingdom.
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‎The President assured that his administration would continue investing in technology, equipment, and international cooperation to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities across the country.
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‎Nigeria has been battling multiple security threats in recent years, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, separatist violence in the South-East, and widespread kidnapping in different parts of the country.
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‎France has previously worked with several African nations on counter-terrorism operations, particularly in the Sahel region, where armed groups have expanded their activities due to weak security structures.
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‎Tinubu expressed confidence that with improved cooperation and stronger military capacity, Nigeria would overcome the current security challenges and restore peace across the country.