Speaking on behalf of President Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...and the Russian Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Averianov emphasized Russia's readiness to deepen defence cooperation with Nigeria, describing the West African country as a major regional power and critical partner.
He noted that Russia, engaged in special operations against 39 adversary nations, had developed new counterterrorism strategies it was eager to share with Nigeria.
A statement on Monday by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said the commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Representative of the President of Russia, Lieutenant General Andrei Averianov, to Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The statement read, ''The Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Andrei Averianov today, 28 April 2025 paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR. The Head of the Russian delegation in his remarks noted that the visit marked a memorable day in the history of the Russian Federation, while on behalf of his team, thanked the CDS for hosting them and the warm hospitality accorded to them.
''According to him, it has been 80 years since Russia fought Nazism. However,
a person who gets all wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package...
the security landscape has evolved, with asymmetric threats such as al-Qaeda and Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...now emerging. He expressed Russian delight in being part of the fight to create a more secure environment for future generations in Nigeria.
''Lt Gen Averianov stated that Russia was engaged in special operations facing 39 adversary nations, during which they had developed new methods they were willing to share with Nigeria to support the fight against terrorism.
''On behalf of President Vladimir Putin and the Honourable Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, he pledged Russia's support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, while recognising Nigeria's significance as a major stakeholder and power in the region.''
He further noted that Russia has been observing and learning from Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts over the years.