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.
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