Boko Haram: FG, UK to strengthen sub-regional cooperation - See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-fg-uk-to-strengthen-sub-regional-cooperation

Boko Haram: FG, UK to strengthen sub-regional cooperation - See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-fg-uk-to-strengthen-sub-regional-cooperation/#sthash.Xln8qI9u.dpuf

The United Kingdom and the Federal Government have agreed to strengthen existing relations at the ECOWAS sub-regional level to deal with the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency.

This decision was reached after a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. 0lugbenga Ashiru and  the United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr. Mark Simmons in Abuja, Thursday.

The British expressed preparedness to

 intensify collaboration with Nigerian authorities to end the activities of the extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram which currently operate in parts of northern Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region.

Both countries also agreed to collaborate to find a lasting solution to the problem in Mali and Guinea Bissau as well as  curb crude oil theft and fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

At the end of the meeting which was held behind closed doors, Ashiru who briefed newsmen, expressed appreciation to the UK Government, for providing immediate logistical assistance to the French Army’s emergency intervention in Mali.

He noted that the intervention assisted the troops to regain key cities hitherto lost to the terrorists.

Ashiru said, “If these countries had not quickly taken the steps they took, we may have had situation where we have a terrorist nation next to us, and that would be a very serious issue.”

The minister also explained that the two countries were committed to doubling their current trade figures and investment promotion.

He, however, pointed out that Nigerian citizens must benefit tremendously from any business relationship with the UK or any other country.

“We have also agreed to work together to ensure the survival of the two countries in the sub-region where we currently have challenges: Mali and Guinea Bissau,” he added.

Ashiru equally  solicited the support of the UK towards Nigeria’s bid to return to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the elections that are due to hold at the UN in New York in October this year.

Earlier, Simmons, said the meeting was to explore bilateral economic development through various sectors of the two economies.

The Punch