The House of Representatives has called for improvement in the existing military and diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and France.

This is to enhance the fight against terrorism, oil theft and legislative diplomacy through the parliamentary relationship between the two countries.

The Chairman, House Committee on Defence, BABAJIMI BENSON, stated this when he received a delegation from the French Parliament on behalf of the Speaker, ABBAS TAJUDEEN.

Honourable BENSON spoke of possible ways of collaboration with France in areas of security through the provision of military hardware, defence industrial capacity, and fight against oil theft among others.

He called on France to assist Nigeria in developing local capacity in terms of security as well as collaborate with Nigeria to address crude oil theft.

This is just as he sought the cooperation of the French government to support the Nigerian military to balance the gender challenge in the system.

The leader of the French delegation, who is also the Chairman, Committee on National Defence and Armed Forces in the French National Assembly, THOMAS GASSILLOUD stated that French vessels patrol the coast of Nigeria and in the process have been able to establish a partnership with the Nigerian Navy, describing the development as “a good cooperation.”