The United Kingdom’s Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Sir Charlie Collins, has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of a high-level visit aimed at reviewing ongoing defence cooperation between the UK and the Nigerian Army.
The visit was announced on Tuesday by the British Defence Staff West Africa through its official X account, which stated that the engagement reflects the UK’s continued support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insecurity and strengthen regional stability.
According to the statement, Collins is in Maiduguri to observe UK-Nigeria defence
collaboration firsthand and engage with senior officers of the Nigerian Army on initiatives designed to improve security operations.
“Welcome to Nigeria, Lt Gen Sir Charlie Collins KBE DSO, UK Deputy CDS (MSO). In Maiduguri with Nigerian Army colleagues, seeing UK-Nigeria defence cooperation first-hand and supporting Nigeria-led efforts to strengthen security and regional stability,” the post stated.
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Photographs from the visit showed Collins receiving a military guard of honour, as well as participating in official meetings, ceremonial handshakes and plaque presentations with Nigerian military officials.
The visit comes at a time when Nigeria is strengthening international partnerships to combat terrorism, insurgency and banditry, particularly in the North-East and other affected regions.
Defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom has included training programmes, intelligence sharing, capacity building and other forms of military support aimed at improving the effectiveness of security operations and enhancing regional security.