Buhari: World Needs Cooperation, Information Sharing to Combat Violent Extremism

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari said On Saturday in Jordan that regional cooperation and information sharing among countries were the keys to a successful war against terrorism. Buhari stated this during a bilateral meeting with the Jordanian leader, King Abdullah II, at a summit of Heads of State and Government on terrorism.

The meeting was held in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, according to a statement by the special adviser on media and publicity to the Nigerian president, Mr. Femi Adesina. The summit was to review strategies in the fight violent extremism.

Buhari was said to have used the opportunity to thank the Jordanian King for his support and assistance to Nigeria, especially with the recent donation of armoured vehicles and other military equipment to strengthen the war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

In his remarks, King Abdullah II advocated broader measures, especially the use of cyber security, in checking the influence of terrorists. He pledged the continued support of the Kingdom of Jordan to Nigeria in its war against violent extremism.
Buhari was accompanied to the summit by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; and some state governors.

The summit, tagged, “Aqaba Retreat”, was hosted by the King of Jordan. It was also billed to look at ways of reinforcing joint security structures that would help to prevent attacks.
Other West African Heads of State expected at the summit slated for December 2 and 3 included the presidents of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo as well as the representatives of governments of 48 countries. A number of key Non-Governmental Organisations were also expected to participate in the meeting.

Adesina had on November 29 said that Buhari would share Nigeria’s experience on terrorism and its spread across West Africa during the meeting and seek more support for pre-emptive measures aimed at neutralising the activities of insurgents in the sub-region. He said Buhari might also speak on the recently inaugurated Policy Framework and National Action Plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.

The security document is believed to be tailored toward addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, while countering the dangerous ideologies that fuel terrorism.
Buhari had on August 24 signed a presidential directive for the implementation of the policy framework and national action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.