By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) agreed yesterday that judicial process should be followed in dealing with those arrested in connection with various forms of terrorism in Nigeria.
This is one of the agreements reached when President Muhammadu Buhari and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, met on the sidelines of the ongoing Global Education summit in London.
According to a statement by Femi Adesina, the special adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Britain also assured Nigeria of its willingness to lend a helping hand to Nigerians in its war against terrorism.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is being prosecuted for terrorism and related offences.
Adesina’s statement reads: “President Buhari and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain Thursday (yesterday), appraised the war against different forms of terrorism in Nigeria, and agreed that the judicial process is allowed to run its course.
“Holding bilateral talks at the sidelines of the Global Education Summit in London, the two leaders said it was important that the judicial process runs without interference, no matter who was involved.
“President Buhari also reviewed the security situation in the different regions of the country. He also briefed the Prime Minister on Nigeria’s power needs and efforts being made, as well as the initiatives geared at achieving food security.”
In his response, Johnson said: “We are available to help”.
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The leaders also discussed how to increase trade between the two countries, develop solar and wind power, the leadership of the Commonwealth and other matters of mutual interest.
Buhari, who also meet with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland sought the assistance of the 54- member body in tackling insecurity in the country.
Adesina explained in another statement that the Commonwealth agreed to support Nigeria in various areas, including security and Agriculture.
According to the statement, Buhari told Scotland that Nigeria was already doing a lot to ensure food security and end insecurity.
The statement added: ”Nigeria will be glad to receive support from the Commonwealth in diverse areas of needs and challenges, Nigeria is also doing a lot to address food security through heavy investment in agriculture, and the security issues confronting the country in different regions, President Buhari welcomed the offer of assistance by the Commonwealth scribe.”
Scotland told the President that the Commonwealth had developed programmes on agribusiness.
She explained that the programmes would encourage young people to get involved in agriculture, help in police and criminal justice reforms, as well as tackling security challenges.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General added that the body has anti-corruption benchmark tools that could enable the country to fight graft in public and private sectors.
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