Chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Muhammad Aziz Khan, has offered to share unspecified military assistance and nuclear power with Nigeria's armed forces, the Nigerian defence ministry said on Wednesday.

Gen Khan told Nigerian Defence Minister Rabiu Kwankwaso that Pakistan was working out the dynamics to help Nigeria's armed forces strengthen their capabilities and acquire nuclear power, it said.

Pakistan's Nuclear Bazaar

The communiqué pointed out that Pakistan has nuclear-tipped missiles, but did not say whether Pakistan is offering such technology or if Nigeria seeks such weapons.

Kwankwaso urged more cooperation between the two countries, adding Nigeria could, if needed, help Pakistan train its soldiers, the statement said.

Khan, who was in Nigeria's capital Abuja, explained to his counterparts that "Pakistan had to take its destiny into its own hands to become a nuclear state because of the regular threats posed by hostile neighbours", the statement added.