TO tackle the rising threats of insurgents and bandits, President Muhammadu Buhari has called for a sustained security across West African sub-region and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
According to him, only a collective fight would halt threats to lives and property.
He spoke while receiving the Letter of Credence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to Nigeria, Mr. Moustapha Traore, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said the sub-region would continue struggling with the basics of development so long as people live in fear and uncertainty.
He said: “The problems of terrorism and banditry have persisted in our countries, and we are doing our best to secure lives and property, but we tend to underestimate cross-border influences.
“Take for instance, the external influences on Boko Haram, and the impact of what happened in Libya. These are very critical issues that must be looked into because they are all at the expense of development,” he said.
The Malian Ambassador said he would work hard to strengthen bilateral relations in areas of intelligence sharing between the security agents of both countries, and issues related to trade and economic development.
The President, who also received a Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Dura Likar, assured him of Nigeria’s full commitment to improving bilateral relations, especially in the areas of trade and security.
Also yesterday, Buhari said security challenges in the GOG have made it one of the most problematic maritime spaces in the world.
He spoke at the Naval Dockyard Limited in Victoria Island, Lagos, during International Maritime Conference (IMC) organised as part of activities to commemorate Nigerian Navy’s 62nd anniversary.
The President, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, noted that 53 piracy attacks or attempted attacks and more than 50 per cent of global kidnappings for ransom were recorded in the region in 2016.
Quoting the International Maritime Bureau, Buhari said: “In 2016, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recorded 53 piracy attacks or attempted attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 28 per cent of worldwide attacks. The Gulf also accounted for more than 50 per cent of the global kidnappings for ransom, with 34 seafarers kidnapped out of a total of 62 worldwide.
“Besides, the trafficking of arms, drugs and persons, widespread unregulated and unreported fishing activities, severe environmental damage and pollution have remained constant challenges.”
Advocating stronger collaboration among member states, Buhari noted that countries in the GOG have since recognised that security in the region was a challenge to maritime safety and significant threat to their economic prosperity.
He added: “The establishment of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) was an important initiative in this regard…
“In addition, member states of the Gulf of Guinea Commission have made individual efforts to improve the capacity and capability of their navies, and other relevant agencies to enable them perform their duties more effectively. This has been well complemented by the establishment of Regional Centres for Maritime Security by the Regional Economic Communities, ECOWAS and ECCAS.
“This effort is itself capped by the establishment of the Inter-regional Coordination Centre based in Yaounde, Cameroon.
“The invaluable multifaceted collaboration of the United States (U.S.) and the EU is worthy of mention. And these initiatives are commendable indeed.”
Hailing the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas for many innovative and forward-looking ideas he has brought to the leadership of the service, Buhari said the theme of the conference “enhancing an integrated maritime strategy for security in the Gulf of Guinea,” was apt.
At the conference were the Minister for Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chiefs of Army and Air Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar respectively, naval chiefs from 38 countries across the world or their representatives, chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Issa Misau among others.