Nigeria, Bulgaria Forge Alliance to Boost Security

Permanent Secretary, Interior Ministry, Aishetu Gogo Ndayako Receiving Brigadier General Emil Simeonov Tonev, Head of the Bulgarian National Service for Protection and his team.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Interior, under the eight-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is keen on deepening our traditional relations with Bulgaria." Tunji-Ojo.

"Nigeria is eager to learn from the best practices of Bulgaria to equip our men in the military and paramilitary agencies. Your visit is highly appreciated and timely."

In its quest to improve on providing quality and sustainable security to Nigerians, the Nigerian Government has pledged to deploy innovative capacities to tackle violent crime, ransom kidnappings, and terrorism in some parts of the country, with the aim of improving Nigeria’s investment climate.

This was the assertion of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday 26th January, 2024, during a meeting with a delegation from the Bulgarian National Service for Protection, headed by Brigadier General Emil Simeonov Tonev.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, the Minister stated that, "The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Interior, under the eight-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is keen on deepening our traditional relations with Bulgaria.

Dr. Ndayako explained that this mutual partnership will boost the fight against international terrorism, improve the internal security, border management, and enhance cybersecurity.

“Today, we welcome your team, so that we can start a fruitful dialogue and strengthen our cooperation in areas such as training.

"Nigeria is eager to learn from the best practices of Bulgaria to equip our men in the military and paramilitary agencies. Your visit is highly appreciated and timely,” she said.

Earlier, the Chief of the Bulgarian National Service for Protection, Brigadier General Emil Simeonov Tonev, who led his country’s delegation, expressed the readiness of the Bulgarian government to collaborate with Nigeria to enhance security in the areas of preventing illegal migration, human and drug trafficking, among others.

At the end of the meeting, the visitors presented military insignia as gifts to the Honourable Minister and were also given locally made souvenirs, including the official Nigerian jersey, as a gesture of friendship and a reminder of the football matches between Nigeria and Bulgaria in 1994 and 1998, as well as to commemorate the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed on behalf of the Director of Information by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu and made available to journalists in Abuja.

The Ministry of Interior is a Federal Government agency that is responsible for ensuring the internal security of the country, the integrity of citizenship, and the promotion of good governance.