Bayraktar, who made this known during the commemoration of the 99th National Day of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja, said the deployment of the drones and helicopters is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Following the cases of insecurity and the recent terror alert by the US, UK and Canadian commissions in Nigeria, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, has said that Turkey will soon deploy its drones and helicopters from to Nigeria.
Bayraktar, who made this known during the commemoration of the 99th National Day of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja, said the deployment of the drones and helicopters is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
He described the security support from Turkey to Nigeria as an achievement from the defence cooperation contract signed between both countries in 2021.
The Turkish Ambassador added that Turkey was set to extend all kinds of support to Nigeria in its effort to counter security threats by sharing its experience, technical expertise and technology.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Bayraktar as saying, “The defence contracts signed between our countries last year marked a historical record.
“Taking this opportunity, I am proud to announce that two of our flagship defence industry platforms, Bayraktar (TB-2) drones and (T-149) ATAK helicopters are set to arrive Nigeria.
“We are confident that new Turkish defence products will support the efforts of the Nigerian government and contribute immensely to the peace, prosperity and security of fellow Nigerians.”
According to him, the Turkish government is also expecting the Nigerian government to reciprocate its legitimate security concerns by taking the necessary steps against the strong presence of heinous FETO terrorist group in Nigeria.
Bayraktar, who also spoke on the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Turkey said he was very proud that 2021 and 2022 had been a period of great achievements in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He noted that with the current pace of increasing commercial relations, he was confident that Turkey would soon achieve the target of $5billion of bilateral trading volume with Nigeria.
On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, said Nigeria and Turkey witnessed increased trade and bilateral relations since the high-level visit exchange between Nigerian and Turkish Presidents in 2021.
The minister added that Nigerians remained keen in doing business with their Turkish counterparts which is reflected in the Turkey-Nigeria Business Congress held in September 2021 in Istanbul.