Nigerian Army, AFRICOM Host African Army Chiefs Land Forces Summit

Nigerian Army, AFRICOM Host African Army Chiefs Land Forces Summit

The Nigerian Army in conjunction with the US Army African Command (AFRICOM) will hold the 2018 African Land Forces Summit with the theme, ‘Unity is Strength: Combating Africa’s Security challenges’, in Abuja, Nigeria, from the 16th to 19th of April.

Chief of Training and Operations, Army, Major General David Ahmadu who stated this at a briefing in Abuja, disclosed that the summit will afford military leaders of African countries the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships, develop new ways of tackling security challenges on the continent and further facilitate cooperation.

Ahmadu who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai at the briefing noted that the United States military through the auspices of the African Command (AFRICOM) holds annual conferences called the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) with allied countries.

“The last ALFS 2017 held in Malawi. The forum affords countries, the avenue to share experiences on global terrorism and force common approach to combating transnational threats and crimes such as small arms proliferation and terrorism.

“The summit is the single largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent. It also affords them the opportunity to interact with the aim of strengthening existing relationships and developing new ones.
Speaking further, the CTOP said, “The summit is a landmark event which the Nigerian Army will be co-hosting with US Army Africa (USARAF).

“It will provide the Nigerian Army, the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might to the large gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent.

“This is in addition to providing a platform for countries to share experiences on global terrorism and other security challenges such as transnational threats and crimes.

“During the summit, all African Army Chiefs and chiefs of other nations from Europe and the Americas including the USA will be in attendance.

“The ALFS 2018 is scheduled to hold at the main auditorium, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The opening and closing ceremonies are slated for 16 and 19 April respectively at the Transcorp Hilton.

“Part of activities lined up for the summit include military demonstration exercise that would entail firing and the use of pyrotechnics.

“The exercise will take place at the 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada commencing with rehearsals on 12 and 14 April 2018 while the grand finale will take place on on 17 April 2018.

The CTOP advised residents of the area to remain calm as all safety measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.

By PRNigeria