Nigerian Army to strengthen ties with UN on counter-terrorism
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army has pledged to strengthen ties with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja made the commitment when the UN Under-Secretary for UNOCT, Mr Vladimir Voronkov, visited Army Headquarters call on Thursday in Abuja.
Lagbaja said the Nigerian army had been combatting terrorism using both offensive and constructive approaches.
He added that the troops in the field have experience in all facets in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“We are poised and ready to cooperate with critical partners especially the UN office for counter terrorism.
“The Nigerian Army is not only focusing on the offensive approach.
“We know that no matter how long we carry out kinetic operations, we need to bring in the non-kinetic approach to bear in order to have a stable environment.
“The Nigerian Army through our efforts over the years has brought repentant terrorists to our holding facilities.
“We are looking forward to the support of the UN and even other organs of the UN on the Demobilisation, Deradicalisation and Resettlement (DDR) programme,” he said.
Earlier, the UN Under-Secretary, Voronkov, said the visit was to strengthen partnership for a more robust response in combating terrorism in the country.
He said the UNOCT was looking forward to further partnership with Nigerian army and increased multilateral collaboration in addressing the evolving terrorism threat in Africa.
Voronkov added that the visit was also to formalise the existing cooperation in preventing and countering terrorism, and build Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorism offences. (NAN) (www.nannewsng.ng)
Edited by Benson Iziama/Maharazu Ahmed
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