The Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force Police, and other security agencies will soon receive not less than 1 billion USD from the Qatari government with a view to procuring modern scientific equipment, Africa-Global Empowerment and Development Network (AGED-Network) has disclosed.

President of AGED-Network, Dr Bala Kontagora, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja during a one-day National Conference on the roles of Nigeria’s Security Agencies in the COVID-19 Pandemic Environment, organised in collaboration with National Defence College.

Kontagora said seeking funds from the Qatari government through Sheikh (Dr.) Badr Al-Hajri, and other international countries to equip the police and other agencies with modern equipment became imperative due to growing security challenges across the country.

He said, “We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Defence College through the centre for strategic research and studies with the primary purpose of advancing security sector reforms and synergies between all security agencies.

“Our relentless efforts have enabled us to secure One billion USD from the government of Qatar through our unique and professional relationship with Sheikh (Dr.) Badr Al-Hajri, who personally visited AGED-Network in Abuja.”

He added that with the lessons learnt from recent security threats, including the just concluded nationwide #EndSARS protests and looming post-COVID crisis, security operatives have to re-double their efforts.