The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Juan Sell, has called for closer cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the Spanish Armed Forces to foster stronger and mutually beneficial defence collaboration between the two countries.

Sell made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He commended the Nigerian Army for the sacrifices its personnel had continued to make to safeguard the country as well as its contribution to the development and the future of the country.

The ambassador said that the embassy was also grateful to the Nigerian army for the protection of relevant Spanish investment in Nigeria, adding that the army was committed to Nigeria’s security to thrive, grow and enjoy the benefits of democracy.

“Spain, both bilaterally and as a member of the European Union (EU), is now at present holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and we are there to support.

“We know as the EU that we make our contribution to the Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.

“Also, we are ready to engage as we do with the Nigerian forces, be it from the study tour that we prepared for the Nigerian Defence College this year or by the visit that we are having of a Spanish Navy vessel decisively this Sunday to the port of Lagos.

“But we are ready to scale our contributions and our readiness to collaborate with you,” he said.

Responding, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, appreciated Spain’s contributions to the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Joint Task Force in the northeast through the auspices of the European Union in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Lagbaja also appreciated the ambassador for the offer to promote closer cooperation between the Nigerian army and the Spanish army.

He said that the Nigeria army was disposed to the request while looking forward to having positive interaction with the defence establishments and military companies in Spain.

He added the Nigeria would look at how to benefit maximally from technological advancement and other areas of innovation that Spain had recorded.

“I also want to impress on the ambassador that we should kindly do more to ensure that the Nigerian army benefits from Spain which is holding the presidency of the European cartel so that we can get interventions through the EU.

“I know you have done that for some African countries and the Nigerian army can benefit in this regard and even extending it to the area of the ECOWAS Standby Force.

“I believe with your visits to the Army Headquarters this afternoon, the floodgates of cooperation and collaboration between the Nigerian Army and military establishment and corporations with Spain has opened,” Lagbaja said.