By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Federal government has solicited support in areas of intelligence and equipment from the European Union (EU) to boost the war against insecurity.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar made the appeal when he received European Union delegation led by the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS in Ship House in Abuja.
A press release signed by Attari M.Hope
Ag. Director (Press & Public Relations), Ministry of Defence, quoted Badaru as saying that the European Union needs to support Nigeria in the fight through taking a collaborative approach of curative and preventive measures to end the crisis in Nigeria.
“He said that Nigeria needs military support in areas of intelligence sharing and equipment to end insurgency in the North-East and other form of criminalities in the country in general.
“He stated that dialogue with bandits was not the option in resolving the crisis as many States have tried it and failed.
“He therefore implored EU for more support in area of intelligence sharing and equipment to end the crisis.
“On his part, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON while addressing the delegates the Minister said that Nigeria needs the support of EU in areas of intelligence sharing, personnel training and provision of modern and sophisticated equipment in order to fight the insecurity bedeviling the country.
“Accordingly, the EU can help Nigeria in combating criminality in the country by sharing intelligence with Nigerian Military and giving early warning before the crime is committed. “We need to be proactive and preventive in the fight against all forms of criminalities,in Nigeria” said
“He noted that the European Union can help, support and strengthen Nigerian Security agencies by finding workable solutions.
“Earlier in her remarks, the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Samuela Isopi said that the European Union is committed to ensuring that Nigeria overcomes the issues insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and boko haram.
“She further added that European Union is concerned with three main geographical areas: the Northeast and Lake Chad basin ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgents, the Niger Delta region where Government gets it revenue through oil and gas, and the Maritime security.
“She promised that EU would deepen its Military support to end insurgency in Nigeria.”
