PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES AGREEMENTS REACHED AT LONDON MEETING ON SECURITY IN NIGERIA AND WEST AFRICA

                                         STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

                       PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES AGREEMENTS REACHED

                   AT LONDON MEETING ON SECURITY IN NIGERIA AND WEST AFRICA

President Goodluck Jonathan welcomes the  decision of the London

Ministerial Meeting  on Security in Nigeria  and West Africa to

operationalize a  Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit to enhance the

generation and sharing of information that is essential to curbing

terrorist activities.

President Jonathan similarly applauds the establishment of a multi-

national joint task force by Nigeria, Chad, Benin Republic,  Niger

Republic and Cameroon to enforce stricter border controls and

prevent terrorists from having unrestricted access to their territories.

The President believes that the  implementation of the important

decisions taken at the London meeting, supported by necessary

technical expertise from Britain, the United States and France will

greatly boost his administration’s ongoing efforts to end the scourge

of terrorism in Nigeria and make the country a much safer place for

its citizens and residents.

As his Administration continues to vigorously explore options for

rescuing the abducted Chibok College girls and enhance security in all parts

of Nigeria, President Jonathan reaffirms the Federal

Government’s commitment to working for faster progress on

developmental,  governance, education and gender issues in keeping

with its multifaceted approach to dealing with the underlying causes

of conflict and insecurity in parts of Nigeria.

 The President also endorses the agreement by all countries represented at

the London meeting that their collective response to terrorism must show

due regard for human rights.

President Jonathan thanks the British Government for the reaffirmation of its

commitment to helping Nigeria and other West African countries to achieve

faster development and ensure that social services and infrastructure are provided

to those communities most affected by conflict and insecurity.

He also welcomes Britain’s announced intention to expand its ongoing

support for Nigeria’s efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

June 12, 2014