President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the activities of Boko Haram and other criminal groups that operate in the borders of neighbouring countries must be seen as a common threat to all and therefore appealed to leaders of such countries on the need for cooperation between them and Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted Jonathan as saying this while granting audience to a special envoy of President Paul Biya of Cameroon, Mr. Emmanuel Rene, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Jonathan, who arrived in Abuja from Katsina State after a two-day working visit, maintained that Nigeria and its neighbours must take urgent action to synergize their strategies and efforts to counter the scourge of Boko Haram and other violent criminal gangs that operate between their common borders.
“The issue of Boko Haram remains worrisome. If it is not properly handled, it could affect the security of neighbouring countries. We therefore expect maximum cooperation from all countries within our region to rout the sect”, the president was quoted as telling Mr. Rene.
Earlier, Mr Rene conveyed President Biya’s assurance to President Jonathan that Cameroon was committed to cooperating fully with Nigeria to combat all forms of terrorism and cross-border criminality.
President Biya’s special envoy also assured Mr. Jonathan that the Cameroonian government will never allow its territory to become a safe haven for terrorists or a base for the destabilization of Nigeria.
Mr. Rene, no b 4 mouth! Na action we want dey see