PRESIDENT JONATHAN CALLS FOR MORE COOPERATION FROM NIGERIA’S NEIGHBOURS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CALLS FOR MORE COOPERATION FROM NIGERIA'S NEIGHBOURS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Friday in Abuja called for greater cooperation between Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the fight against terrorism.

Speaking at an audience with a Special Envoy of President Paul Biya of Cameroon, Mr. Emmanuel Sadi Rene who delivered a special message from the Cameroonian leader, President Jonathan said that Boko Haram and other criminal groups that operate in the countries' border regions must be seen as a common threat to them all.

The President said that Nigeria and its neighbours must take urgent action to harmonise their strategies and efforts to roll-back the menace of Boko Haram and other violent criminal gangs that operate between their borders.

"The issue of Boko Haram remains worrisome. If it is not properly handled, it could affect the security of neighbouring countries. We therefore expect maximum cooperation from all countries within our region to rout the sect," President Jonathan told Mr. Rene who is Cameroon's Minister of Interior.

Mr. Rene had conveyed President Biya's assurance to President Jonathan that Cameroon was committed to cooperating fully with Nigeria to combat all forms of terrorism and cross-border criminality.

He also assured President Jonathan that the Cameroonian Government will never allow its territory to become a safe haven for terrorists or a base for the destabilization of Nigeria.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 14, 2014