By Stephen Simon
The Council of the European Union has approved €20 million in military assistance for Nigeria to strengthen the protection of its armed forces and improve their capacity to respond to security threats.
The assistance, approved on Monday, October 19, will provide non-lethal military equipment, including protection against improvised explosive devices and unmanned aircraft, night-vision equipment and individual protective gear.
The European Union said the package was intended to improve the safety of Nigerian troops and strengthen their operational capabilities in confronting armed groups, bandits and other security threats.
The assistance will be provided through the European Peace Facility, a mechanism used by the bloc to support security and defence operations in partner countries.
According to the Council, the package represents its first bilateral assistance measure for Nigeria under the facility.
Nigeria already benefits from European support through its participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
The EU said the new assistance was designed to complement existing efforts to address security challenges affecting Nigeria and the wider region.
It also stated that the support would be subject to safeguards relating to international human rights and humanitarian law.
The announcement did not specify when the equipment would be delivered or identify the suppliers.
The decision comes as Nigerian security forces continue operations against insurgents and armed criminal groups in several parts of the country.
