Boko Haram: Nigeria May Withdraw Peacekeeping Troops To Boost Fight Against Insurgency

Mike Omeri

THE Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Coordinator, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri has said that the troops on peacekeeping mission abroad may be recalled to the country to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian military in the North-East.

Speaking at the usual briefing centre in Abuja, Omeri stressed that although Boko Haram insurgency is a challenge to Nigeria, and also a threat to regional and international peace and security, it required concerted action of Nigeria and friendly countries to combat.

It will be recalled that some African countries converged on Niamey, Niger Republic on January 20, 2015 with the sole aim of seeking authorisation from the United Nations (UN) Security Council, through the African Union (AU), to set up fund and deploy a more effective multinational force in the fight against Boko Haram.

This was owing to many challenges militating against full operationalisation of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and its apparent collapse.

Omeri said: “Whatever Nigeria need to do to defend her territory and citizens it will do, it is not to say that we don’t have so we are looking for, because people have withdrawn, no. “You can see efforts that other people are making there and Nigeria is still part of community ECOWAS community, African Union community, United Nation community.

“So, it is not as if our men have depleted so badly, we are looking to recall a few that are in operation outside, but what we are suggesting is a troop surge and is a position that is being canvassed to the area to reinforce capacity to fight Boko Haram and insecurity there.”

He said that Nigeria and her neighbours should improve on the effective management of their borders, while the Abuja Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit should collaborate with the Intelligence Coordination Centre based in Chad, in intelligence sharing.

Omeri further stated that as part of continuing International Co-operation in the fight against insurgency in the country, offer of military and humanitarian assistance from regional and international bodies should be deployed along Nigeria’s common borders with neighboring countries, with a clear mandate, command and control, as well as rule of engagement.

Source:
Tribune Newspaper