West African Countries Sign MOU On Terrorism

Nigeria’s Federal Government said on Wednesday that heads of external intelligence agencies across the West African sub-region including Cameroon have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging mutual assistance and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The MOU was signed on Tuesday at the one-day meeting in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon, which was geared towards achieving concerted efforts and strengthen alliance against terrorism.

Ayo Oke, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, represented Nigeria at the occasion.

Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) Mike Omeri who disclosed this on Wednesday at the briefing by members of the Centre also disclosed that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali is currently in London to represent Nigeria at the follow-up meeting to the earlier one convened in Paris, France by French President François Hollande on how to combat terrorism in Nigeria.

The meeting is expected to further reinforce international synergy and build on the gains of Paris Summit also attended by the US, UN and other Nigeria’s neighbouring countries and decision are expected on how to actually strengthen the level of implementation of the various agreements so far reached on the fight against terror.

Omeri expressed dismay at the level of misuse to which some Nigerians have subjected the telephone numbers released to the public to report suspicions about terrorism and criminal activities to.

“We are worried over the level of false information being dished out by some members of the public that are using the telephone numbers to settle personal scores. We wish to advise that these numbers should be strictly used for ensuring security of all Nigerians,” the Director General of National Orientation Agency stated.

Omeri however said he cannot confirm the issue of 20 Fulani women that were purportedly abducted near Chibok last weekend.

“We also read it in the media and we are in the process of confirming the report from government officials around that place and when we are able to establish the true situation, we will make an announcement,” Omeri clarified.

The NOA DG also there were no indications from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to the effect that the US Department of State was in the process of bankrolling a television station targeted at Northern Nigeria.

“On the establishment of Arewa 24 by US State Department, we have made efforts to inquire from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and we were told that there was no request for such license.”