Security experts and other stakeholders would meet in Cameroun in the next few weeks to map out strategies and operational modalities for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) comprising Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
Nigeria however insisted that any strategies against the terrorist group, Boko Haram, must offer maximum protection for the civilian population and reduce collateral damage to the barest minimum.
These details obtained by THISDAY were part of the discussions at meetings on the sidelines of the recently concluded African Union Summit in Addis Ababa where the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, led the Nigerian delegation.
Wali also expressed pleasure with ongoing efforts by the AU to reinforce various actions being taken to curb the activities of the terrorist group which has the potential to cause mayhem across the sub-region.
He also commended the report of the LCBC on regional and global efforts to fight the sect and called on the United Nations Security Council to quickly adopt a resolution enabling the deployment of the MNJTF.
Under the leadership of Cameroun, the Abuja based Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) has been effectively operating and contributing immensely to the fight against terrorism in the region, Wali said.
ECOWAS member states also held a meeting on the sidelines of the summit under the chairmanship of Ghana’s President, John Dramini Mahama, with the Boko Haram issue as the main agenda.
They collectively condemned the terror group, which has shown a wanton disregard for human lives and property with sustained attacks on civilians.
They also pledged to work with Nigeria to tackle the group.
Wali, at the meeting, noted that the international community had finally realised the intensity of the threat posed by Boko Haram, not just to the sub-region, but beyond.
Facebook Comments