BREAKING NEWS, Security
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JEAN-YVES Le Adrian, French Defence Minister, has said the Nigerian military deserves a pat on the back for bravery and courage so far displayed in the fight against Boko Haram. He pointed out that their success was a source of hope to France that terrorist’s organizations plotting against the French would be defeated.
The minister made the disclosure in Abuja during his visit to Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali, Nigeria’s Defence Minister. His words, “I am pleased with the cooperation between the Nigerian Defence Ministry and the French Ministry of Defence. I will like to salute the bravery and courage of the Nigerian Forces in the fight against Boko Haram. I will be visiting the headquarters of the Multi National Joint Task Force in Ndjamena which is also headed by a Nigerian General, to see how things are going and can be improved upon.
“The fight against the barbaric organization, Boko Haram in Nigeria is the same fight that we have in France because these terrorists groups that are hitting Nigeria are the same that we have in France. The second phase that we are looking into is about maritime insecurity. We are extremely happy to help Nigeria in this area which is going to be a much longer term effort in order to guarantee security in the Gulf of Guinea.”
In his address, Dan-Ali said the visit of the French minister has made a very big impact on the country’s defence cooperation with France. “If you remember our president was in Paris and he also went to neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon, this is to strengthen cooperation between us and our neighbouring countries; and France has a great influence on these countries and that is why we are looking forward to a fruitful defence relations with France.
“Nigeria will benefit in the sense that as we are fighting terrorism in connection with France and other neighbouring countries, it will give us an impact in controlling or ending terrorism within our sub region and the world at large.”
On the role of France, he said, “Of course the cooperation with France will help in mobilising more support from Francophone West African countries. You will also recall that we have the Multi National Joint Task force and it is being sponsored by the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and other countries in the region. France has great influence on these countries and it has a big impact on what we are doing in this region. Remember that Lake Chad is a strong agricultural belt and our people depend on it for farming, fishing and other business ventures, I am assuring you that the new France-Nigeria defence cooperation would help in addressing some of the issues in the Chad basin.” – Vanguard
— Apr 28, 2016 @ 17:35 GMT
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