Nigeria, Jordan sign defence cooperation, intelligence sharing agreement

International, Middle East

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria and Jordan have signed a defence cooperation and intelligence-sharing agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral security collaboration.

The development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following meetings in Amman with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Yousef A. Alhnaity.

According to Matawalle, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

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“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Defence Cooperation and Intelligence Sharing,” the minister said in a statement issued on Monday.

He noted that the agreement is intended to deepen cooperation between the two countries in addressing evolving security threats confronting Nigeria.

According to the minister, the challenges facing the country have become increasingly complex, asymmetric and cross-border in nature.

Matawalle said the agreement aligns with the security strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he described as a “bottoms-up approach” toward achieving peace, security and stability across the country.

The latest agreement comes as Nigeria intensifies defence and security cooperation with several countries amid ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations, particularly in the northern region.

Nigeria has continued to battle insurgency, banditry and kidnapping activities that have affected communities and major highways in different parts of the country.

Security analysts have repeatedly called for stronger international cooperation, intelligence sharing and improved military coordination to address the persistent attacks and growing insecurity.

The Nigerian government has expressed optimism that expanded defence partnerships with foreign allies will strengthen ongoing operations and improve national security outcomes.