According to a report by The Cable on Friday, April 24, 2026, Christopher Musa has dismissed claims circulating in a widely shared article regarding Nigeria’s counter-terrorism cooperation with Turkey.
The report had suggested that the agreement between both countries was designed to introduce extremist ideology into Nigeria’s institutions.
In response, the defence leadership described the claim as inaccurate and misleading, stating that it misrepresented the purpose and nature of the engagement between the two nations.
The clarification was conveyed through an official statement issued by Timothy Antigha, who serves as a media aide within the defence structure.
The statement explained that the cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the country’s ability to address security challenges, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism.
Nigeria has for years faced threats from insurgent groups and other forms of insecurity, prompting the government to seek partnerships with countries that have experience in modern defence strategies.
According to the defence authorities, the agreement with Turkey is consistent with this approach and is intended to enhance operational capacity through training, intelligence sharing, and technical support.
Officials further clarified that the current engagement is not a new or isolated development, but rather an extension of an earlier defence cooperation arrangement signed in 2021.
That earlier agreement laid the foundation for collaboration in areas such as military training, equipment support, and strategic planning.
The latest development builds on those existing ties and is aimed at improving the effectiveness of Nigeria’s armed forces in dealing with evolving security threats.
The defence leadership emphasised that such partnerships are common among nations seeking to improve their defence systems.
In addressing the specific allegation contained in the article, the defence authorities rejected any suggestion that the agreement had ideological or religious motives.
They maintained that the cooperation is strictly within the framework of professional military engagement and international best practices.
The statement also pointed to Turkey’s position as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, noting that the country operates within established global defence standards.
This, according to the clarification, reinforces the credibility of the partnership and contradicts the narrative presented in the report.
He said, “So, how does the recent agreement with Turkey suggest the importation of Jihad into Nigeria? Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a Defence budget of 40 billion US Dollars.”…..See More
Leave a Reply