From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has described the rumors making the rounds over the alleged establishment of a Foreign Military Operational Base in Nigeria as fake news.
The CDS, who described the reports as fabricated falsehood, said no foreign nation will be allowed to establish a military base in Nigeria.
Musa’s explanation is coming on the heels of allegations that permission had been granted to France to establish an expeditionary military base in the country.
The CDS, who made the clarifications while unveiling the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Tattoo 2025 Logo at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, said that no foreign nation had ever established military base in Nigeria, the CDS, assured that non will be allowed to do so now or in the future.
According to him, “Let me speak on Mr President’s recent visit to France where a lot of bilateral agreement were signed.
“Regrettably a lot of comments have been made on the subject matter. Some people enjoys fabricating falsehood, so I want to clarify some of the insinuations out there.
“No foreign nation will establish military base in Nigeria, not in the north, not in the south, and not anywhere in Nigeria.
“It has never happened before and it will not happen now. Mr President asked me to make that very clear to Nigerians.
“Whatever that was signed was a bilateral agreement on trade, culture and traditions and corporation on economy.
“Some said that the president had signed agreement to allow the foreign nation to establish base camps in northern Nigeria, nothing like that”.
The CDS who reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to continue to partner foreign nations bilaterally, especially in the area of training and procurement of military armaments, said “We send our officers and they send their officers here too for training. That is the normal thing that is done, but to build camp and start operating from Nigeria, that was not part of the agreement,” he further explained.
Earlier in his address the Committee Chairman, Armed Forces of Nigeria Tattoo Logo 2025, Rear Admiral Kabir Mohammed explained the philosophy behind the Armed Forces of Nigeria Tattoo Logo 2025.
According to him, “The logo we are unveiling today is not just a design, it is a symbol of patriotism, valor and resilience of the military as well as a reminder of our collective history and vision for the future.
“Elements of the logo was crafted to reflect the armed forces’ commitment to peace, security and leadership.
“It is believed that the logo will serve as an emblem of pride and dedication to the member of the armed forces and the public”.
Giving background of the event scheduled for 2025, Admiral Mohammed said: “Following the Nigeria’s remarkable participation at the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the attendance of the 2024 edition, the CDS approves the domestication of the event in Nigeria”.