Interior Minister Abba Moro and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Dikko Abubakar held talks yesterday with United States security experts in Abuja on how to police Nigeria’s vast and porous borders from infiltration of militants, especially Boko Haram sect members.
The experts are in the country to offer proposals for the installation of comprehensive border control equipment at the nation’s borders.
The parley came on a day the European Union (EU) renewed it pledge to stay by the Federal Government until the terrorism battle is won.
Abubakar solicited the continued assistance of the international community in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities.
Moro confirmed the partnership between Nigeria and the US when he hosted in his office, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCauley, who was represented by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary on Counter Terrorism, Anne Witkowsky, who led a delegation of the security experts.
According to Moro, President Goodluck Jonathan has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to acquire equipment to effectively monitor the borders.
The minister noted that Nigeria would spend whatever was necessary financially and use every available resource to prevent evil-minded elements from doing violence to any part of the country.
He told the experts that Nigeria would be glad to partner with any friendly country with workable solutions to surmount its security challenges.
Moro noted that traditional border patrols and physical checks have become obsolete and no longer workable in tracking down terrorists, who are equally seeking better ways to advance their nefarious activities.
He said: “Just like USA demonstrates some level of leadership in the world, Nigerian today is looked up to by most African countries for leadership. Any issue that is meant to undermine democracy and strength of Nigeria affects African countries. We welcome this step as a step in the right direction that will not only reduce the act of terrorism in the country but it will eliminate completely any act of terrorism.
“Government strongly believes that if dialogue can bring the much needed peace, then we should go for it. We are in the process. USA and Nigeria have setup several committees which recommendations are being implemented.
Witkowsky said that US has initiated the security system and it is being introduced to Nigeria and some African countries, such as Ghana, Chad, Niger and Burkina-Faso.
She stressed that the advanced technology would greatly enhance the ability of the nation’s immigration officials to apprehend illegal migrants at the border areas before they enter the country to cause any mayhem.
Her words: “We are interested in working with Nigeria to secure the country. When the country is more secured, we will also feel secured and Nigeria should know that there are several options available in tackling terrorism.
“We have been going to several countries, helping to install the finger biometric equal to that of the United States of America (USA).
“We have figure prints of possible over 10 million travellers at the same time in a system. We are expanding in Nigeria, Chad, Burkina Faso and we are doing a major upgrade in Ghana. We are possessing about 10 thousand finger prints per week in West Africa.”
When reporters sought to know what the US stood to gain in the partnership, Moro responded that the assistance was at no cost to the country but an extension of a hand of fellowship from a caring ally.
Other members of the delegation are: Mr. Dwight Brown, Miss Theresa Keens, Mr. David Svendsen, Mary Johnson, Thaddaeus Hoyt and Diana Kohn, who are programmes personnel at the US Embassy.
The European Union also renewed its continued support to the Federal Government “until terrorism is defeated”. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Dr David MacRae, dropped the hint at a media luncheon hosted by the commission in Abuja.
MacRae, however, said that terrorism should be tackled within the ambit of the rule of law.
He commended the government for its recent initiatives in addressing the issue.
He said: “We welcome recent steps taken by government in recent weeks towards addressing insecurity in parts of the north, including the creation of two committees with the mandate to take a holistic look on radicalisation and factors that fuel it.
“The EU is convinced that a comprehensive approach based on security, good governance, development and improvement of social conditions is key to fighting terrorism and radicalization.”
The EU envoy condemned the killing in Baga, Borno, adding that measures should be put in place by the government to protect the lives and property of citizens.
He stated that those responsible for the action should be brought to justice accordingly.
“EU welcomes the decision of the Nigerian authorities to launch a full scale investigation into the Baga incident and is looking forward to thorough inquiry and bringing to justice anyone who may be responsible for any unlawful killings and conduct,” he added.
MacRae also reiterated that the EU had agreed to finance the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) till the end of June.
“By July, AFISMA will become a UN Peacekeeping Force and as far as elections are concerned there is a roadmap which the government is expected to adhere to towards constitutional reform,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment