In
an effort to strengthen the existing bi-lateral cooperation with
Nigeria’s neighbours, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel
Olonisakin has embarked on official trips to Niger Republic and Republic
of Cameroun where he met with the top Government functionaries of the
two countries.
In
Niger Republic, General Olonisakin met with the President of the
country, Mahamadou Issoufou as well as the Chief of Defence Staff,
General Seyni Garba where discussion on issues that concern the two
friendly countries were highlighted. General Olonisakin thanked the
Niger President for the role the country is playing in counterterrorism
operations in Lake Chad Basin and the country’s role in the formation of
Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Nigeria’s
CDS expressed delight that Boko Haram has been significantly decimated,
a feat which called for stronger ties between Nigeria and its
neighbours to ensure that no safe haven is provided for the retreating
Boko Haram terrorists in the sub-region. To this end, General
Olonisakin solicited for improved intelligence gathering and sharing,
air asset operations and counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
operations within the Lake Chad Basin countries and across ECOWAS
States.
While
in Cameroun, Nigeria’s CDS was received by the Camerounian Honorable
Minister of Defence, Edgard Allain Mebe Ngo'o and the country’s Chief of
Defence Staff, General Rene-Claude Meka where similar discussion, as in
Niger Republic, occurred.
One
of the highlights of the discussion in Cameroun however, was in the
area of stronger cooperation in maritime environment, especially in the
Gulf of Guinea, to tackle the incessant case of bunkering, oil theft and
piracy. General Olonisakin has since returned to Nigeria.
RABE ABUBAKAR
Brigadier General
Acting Director Defence Information
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