Abuja, Nigeria – April 29, 2025
The Russian government has pledged to support Nigeria in its ongoing battle against terrorism by offering to share newly developed counter-terrorism strategies, according to a statement from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.
This commitment was made on Monday during a high-level meeting in Abuja between Lt.-Gen. Andrei Averianov, a senior Russian envoy, and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa. The visit underscores deepening security cooperation between the two nations amid growing global concerns over terrorism and asymmetric threats.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Russian envoy revealed that Moscow has engaged in special operations in 39 countries, from which it has developed advanced counter-terrorism techniques and operational strategies. Averianov expressed Russia’s readiness to share these methods with Nigeria to help bolster its efforts in combatting insurgent groups like Boko Haram and other extremist elements operating in the region.
“Russia is pleased to stand with Nigeria in the global fight against terrorism. We are eager to contribute to the efforts that will ensure a more secure and stable environment, particularly for the future generations of Nigerians,” Averianov stated during the visit.
The Russian official also drew attention to Russia’s historical experiences, including the country’s 80-year-old victory over Nazism, while highlighting how the modern threat landscape has evolved to include more complex and unconventional dangers such as terrorism driven by groups like Al-Qaeda.
In response, Gen. Musa expressed appreciation for Russia’s offer and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening military and strategic partnerships aimed at ending terrorism in the region. He noted that such international collaborations are vital in addressing the ever-evolving security challenges that confront the country and the broader West African sub-region.
Russia’s show of support comes at a time when Nigeria continues to battle insecurity, particularly in its northeastern region, where militant groups have displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
As a key regional power, Nigeria’s stability is seen as crucial to the peace and security of West Africa. The renewed military collaboration with Russia may signal a shift towards broader strategic alliances in Nigeria’s security architecture, as it seeks to harness international support in its ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The visit by the Russian delegation is expected to pave the way for further bilateral engagements, including joint training, intelligence sharing, and potential arms cooperation, although no specific agreements were announced following Monday’s meeting.
