Country Partners Niger to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism

Misbahu Bashir

17 May 2011

The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin and the Nigerien Chief of Armed Forces Staff, Brigadier-General Salou Souleymane yesterday pledged to jointly fight terrorism across their vast territories.

Gunmen kidnapped a Briton and his Italian colleague, both working with a construction firm, on Thursday evening in Kebbi State. The gunmen were suspected to have entered Nigeria through the boundary with Niger Republic.

Geberal Souleyman yesterday begun a working visit in Nigeria which will end on May 19, 2011. The two chiefs yesterday met in Abuja, thereafter Souleyman paid a visit to the Minister of Defence Adekumbo Kayode. He will also meet with authorities in the National Defence College, Abuja, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as well as the Armed Forces Command and Training College, Jaji.

Air Chief Marshal Petinrin said both countries will strengthen their existing defence ties and agree on common front in the fight against terrorism as well as banditry. He said “terrorism can be stopped if countries co-operate.”

The two countries will also adopt measures on monitoring terrorist activisties and preventing foreigners with anti-social attitudes into their territories. The two chiefs also agreed to address the proliferation of illegal small arms, which if not controlled will fuel violent crimes in the countries. The armed forces in both countries will continue to improve on training exercises, Petinrin said.

General Souleyman said Nigeria has been playing brotherly role among West African countries and her relationship with Niger will remain pleasant.

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