DHQ explores regional cooperation against trans-border crimes

By OKOSUN DENNIS

In the umpteenth time, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has restated the commitment of the Armed Forces to protect Nigeria’s borders against trans-border crimes and other security challenges in the North East posed by remnants of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The CDS disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the Meeting of Multinational Joint Military Technical Cooperation between Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Nigeria on Joint Border Protection.

He pointed out that no effort would be spared to contain trans-border criminal activities while expressing Defence Headquarters’ (DHQ) readiness to partner the French Military that is providing technical assistance to the Cooperation in order to protect the West African borders in the fight against terrorism.

The CDS, who was represented by the Director Training DHQ, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, said countries must work together to ensure the security of its people and borders.

He appreciated the French Government and other French speaking countries for their tremendous support in the area of intelligence sharing, training and fight against terrorism.

Admiral Ango assured the meeting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would be doing its best to ensure that trans-border crimes are reduced to minimum. He noted that terrorism transcends borders and urged all regional countries to collaborate in the elimination of the menace posed by the terrorist elements still operating in the fringes of the region.

The Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Operations (DCOSOPS) for the French elements in Senegal, Colonel A Vidal who spoke at the event said the French military are willing to assist in terms of training of personnel in planning for the year 2017.

It will also assist in the areas of cooperation between various countries in terms of border protection, he said.