Arms Proliferation: Buhari Calls on Lake Chad Basin Members to Tighten Security Around Borders
PMB
By Our Correspondent
Worried by increasing number of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called for tightening of security around the borders of member countries in the Lake Chad Basin.
Buhari made the call at the 16th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) which was held in Abuja.
Buhari who is the Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government stressed the urgent need for member nations to collaborate with border control agencies to ensure that illegal arms are not circulated.
He told members that terrorism in the region has been brought under control, but added that influx of weapons was a fresh challenge.
He said that while successes have been recorded by the gallant troops of the MNJTF and the various ongoing national operations in the region, terrorist threats still lurk in the region.
He pointed out the Sahel and the raging war in Ukraine serve which could be a major sources of weapons for terrorists in the Lake Chad Region.
According to him, a substantial proportion of the arms and ammunition procured to execute the war in Libya has continued to find its way to the Lake Chad Region and other parts of the Sahel.
He added, ““Weapons being used for the war in Ukraine and Russia are equally beginning to filter to the region.
“This illegal movement of arms into the region has heightened the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which continues to threaten our collective peace and security in the region. .
“The threat of Boko Haram terrorism in the Lake Chad area no doubt brought to the fore, the imperative of enhanced collaboration among the defense forces of the region in the face of a common aggressor.
“I am pleased that through the Multinational Joint Task Force we responded to the challenge, proving beyond reasonable doubt that with the requisite commitment and determination, the region can solve its challenges in the best ways possible.
“The MNJTF has indeed become a model, breaking physical barriers, and affirming the workability of the common approach to conquer challenges in the area.
“Permit me, therefore, to pay tribute to the untiring efforts of the officers and men of the Multinational Joint Task Force and our various National Armed Forces who continue to make remarkable sacrifices in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“The efforts and memories of these gallant soldiers, some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the survival and restoration of stability to the region, will never be forgotten.”
Worried by increasing number of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called for tightening of security around the borders of member countries in the Lake Chad Basin.
Buhari made the call at the 16th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) which was held in Abuja.
Buhari who is the Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government stressed the urgent need for member nations to collaborate with border control agencies to ensure that illegal arms are not circulated.
He told members that terrorism in the region has been brought under control, but added that influx of weapons was a fresh challenge.
He said that while successes have been recorded by the gallant troops of the MNJTF and the various ongoing national operations in the region, terrorist threats still lurk in the region.
He pointed out the Sahel and the raging war in Ukraine serve which could be a major sources of weapons for terrorists in the Lake Chad Region.
According to him, a substantial proportion of the arms and ammunition procured to execute the war in Libya has continued to find its way to the Lake Chad Region and other parts of the Sahel.
He added, ““Weapons being used for the war in Ukraine and Russia are equally beginning to filter to the region.
“This illegal movement of arms into the region has heightened the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which continues to threaten our collective peace and security in the region. .
“The threat of Boko Haram terrorism in the Lake Chad area no doubt brought to the fore, the imperative of enhanced collaboration among the defense forces of the region in the face of a common aggressor.
“I am pleased that through the Multinational Joint Task Force we responded to the challenge, proving beyond reasonable doubt that with the requisite commitment and determination, the region can solve its challenges in the best ways possible.
“The MNJTF has indeed become a model, breaking physical barriers, and affirming the workability of the common approach to conquer challenges in the area.
“Permit me, therefore, to pay tribute to the untiring efforts of the officers and men of the Multinational Joint Task Force and our various National Armed Forces who continue to make remarkable sacrifices in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“The efforts and memories of these gallant soldiers, some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the survival and restoration of stability to the region, will never be forgotten.”
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