HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Terrorism: Niger Republic seeks Nigeria’s financial support for new military JTF

484

To combat the menace of terrorism in Nigeria’s Northwest, Niger Republic is seeking Nigeria’s financial support towards the establishment of another outfit similar to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Niger President Mohammed Bazoum made the request on Thursday during his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Bazoum, Nigeria is critical to the establishment of a Northwest security outfit, especially as it currently bears larger responsibility for the operations and funding support for the MNJTF operating from the Lake Chad Basin.

He noted that the MNJTF created for the Northeast had brought relief within the region, saying banditry had become a common problem for the people within the Sahel region.

According to the Niger President, countries within the Sahel region would be delighted if Nigeria could support a replication of the outfit against bandits in the Northwest.

Read Also: Ex-NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu, cleared of money laundering charge

He said: “Nigeria agreeing to the establishment of a multinational security outfit in the Northwest would reduce the economic and financial burden of supporting such task on other  Sahel countries.

“Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is a model initiated by countries that are facing the same kind of security challenges and we want to replicate this kind of model in countries of Sahel; Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and so on.

“Why? Because this model has allowed us in the Lake Chad Basin to address a common threat. We are very much satisfied with the situation because it has allowed us to contain and we want to replicate same in other places.

“Evidently, if Nigeria accepts to do the same in the axis — Northwest — to fight banditry, we would gladly accept because, as you know, Nigeria almost entirely funded the MNJTF operations and if Nigeria decides to do the same in the Northwest axis, we will be very happy.

“That means it will reduce the economic and financial burden of the fight against these insurgents.”

Meanwhile, Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has backed the call by President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoum, to change the strategy in the fight against insurgency.

He said: “We have to change strategy because like those of us that share border with Niger Republic, we have a joint task force between the Nigerian security and Nigerien security….we have provided some logistics and cash for them in order to ease their operation.

“What we are doing is that if we have any information about bandits that are coming from either Nigeria, then we will alert the Nigerien security to monitor and push them so that we can collectively fight these criminals.

“This is what we are doing day and night in Zamfara and Niger Republic.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Updated: UTME Controversy: JAMB Registrar Sobs, Apologizes as Thousands to Re-Take Exam

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has formally accepted full responsibility...

Student Loan Process Improvement: Education Ministry, NELFUND, Stakeholders Inaugurate Committee

To optimize the disbursement process of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)...

Breaking: 2025 UTME Results Under Fire: JAMB Admits Errors, Promises Review

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has acknowledged errors that impacted...

Driver’s Licenses, Number Plates to Cost More – JTB

The cost of driver’s licences and number plate for Nigerians is set...

Why we ditched PDP – Kebbi senators

Barely seven days after six House of Representatives members defected to the...

Updated: Court Reserves Judgment on Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Case June 27

    A suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha before the...

House of Reps Rejects Bill to Limit INEC’s Power, Six Others

A move to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which would have significantly reduced...

Just in: Akpabio’s Case Takes New Turn as Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan Faces Contempt Claims

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on...

Ancelotti Bids Farewell to Real Madrid

By Samuel Akpan with additional agency report Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti...

22nd National Sports Festival: NOC Unveils Safeguarding Handbook, SAFE SPACE to Protect Athletes

In a significant step towards prioritizing athlete welfare and safety at the...

Police Crack Down on N452m, $210,000 Fraud Ring, Arrest Canadian, Nigerian Suspects

Two high-profile individuals have been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force for...

NJI to Judges: Ensure Safety, Protection of Women, Children, Marginalized

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has called on judicial officers nationwide to...

US-China Tariff Truce: China Lifts Ban on Boeing Plane Deliveries

China has lifted its ban on airlines taking delivery of Boeing aircraft...

Just in: Court adjourns suit challenging Fubara, deputy governor’s suspension to May 26

A suit challenging the suspension of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy...

FG Takes Steps to Revamp Power Sector, Launches DisCos Overhaul Pilot

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah In a bid to revamp Nigeria’s beleaguered electricity...

Tinubu Swears In New INEC Commissioners, CCB Board Members

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in two newly appointed commissioners of the...

Nigeria’s Oil Output Jumps 6% to 1.4mbpd in April – NUPRC

Nigeria’s oil production has increased to 1,485,700 barrels per day (bpd) in...

Olubolade, ex-Bayelsa military governor, ex-minister slumps, dies in Lagos 

A one-time Military Administrator of Bayelsa State and former Minister of Police...

ASUU election: Prof. Chris Piwuna in, Prof. Victor Osodeke out

      The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected...