The Nigerian government has set plans in motion to strengthen defence partnership with South Africa in a bid to address the multifaceted security challenges bedevilling the African continent.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence
Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who made this known during an official visit to the Chief of South Africa National Defence Force, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, in Pretoria, called for reinforcement of ties between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the South African National Defence Force

In a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Tuesday in Abuja, the CDS described the meeting as a “panacea to addressing the multifaceted challenges bedevilling the continent”, adding that the “need for cooperation and reinforcement of bilateral ties were also paramount.”

Musa stated that the meeting with his South African counterpart was focused on various measures to address regional security challenges.

According to the Nigerian Army chief, the exchange of expertise and forging stronger ties between the two countries is for the betterment of the continent were considered.

“During the meeting, the Chief of SANDF highlighted the significance of the meeting between the two largest economies and military powers on the African continent,” the statement noted.

“Present at the meeting were the SANDF Chiefs of Intelligence, Policy and Plans, International Affairs and Joint Operations amongst other departmental chiefs of the SANDF,” he added.

The Zambian police in the Kapiri-Mposhi District have arrested three Zambians and a Tanzanian national for conveying and smuggling illegal immigrants into the country.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, who confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, said the suspects were arrested at the Nkumbi Checkpoint in Kapiri-Mposhi on Sunday, June 30.

Mwale said the arrests were made possible after officers, acting on a tip-off from concerned members of the public, intercepted a Scania tanker truck with registration numbers T711 DMV and T214.

The police spokesman said the intercepted truck was driven by the Tanzanian, Ramadan Ayoub, 32, from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, and belongs to World Oil Limited Company based in Tanzania.

“Upon searching the tanker truck, officers discovered four males, believed to be Ethiopians, concealed on a bed inside the vehicle,” Mwale stated.

He added that the truck driver, upon interrogation, disclosed that an accomplice was waiting for the illegal immigrants in Kapiri-Mposhi town.

Following this lead, officers arrested Moses Mfula, 42, from Soweto compound in Kapiri-Mposhi District, the police spokesman said.

He stated further that Mfula cooperated with the police and directed them to two other individuals en route from Lusaka to collect the illegal immigrants.

“Subsequently, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number ALG 9063 arrived near the tanker truck.

“The two occupants, identified as Charles Mwanza, 43, and Taonga Mukwakwa, 32, from Lusaka’s Chawama compound and Matero township respectively, were arrested after engaging with the truck driver.

“All suspects are currently detained in police custody in Kapiri-Mposhi, while the four illegal immigrants are held in Mkushi District,” the statement said.

Mwale added that investigations are ongoing, with police coordinating with the Department of Immigration.