Nigeria and Federal Republic of Niger are facing same security challenges of armed banditry and terrorism hence the need to strengthen synergy between the two countries becomes critically imperative.
Nigerenian Prime Minister Mr Berigi Refini declared this when he visited Zamfara State Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle in the state government house Gusau.
According to the Statement by the Speciql Adviser to Zamfara Governor on Public Enlightenment Media and Communication Malam Zailani Bappa reads, the meeting was also a prelude to the establishment of a powerful synergy to fight the criminals in a unified direction.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that internal strife in the kind of banditry and criminality are not new in Niger, especially from Boko Haram and the insurgency from Mali border down to Burkina Faso.
He said that the efforts of Governor Matawalle was a commendable one and that such co-operation will bring new ideas and understanding on how to collectively end these criminality.
The meeting was also a prelude to the establishment of a powerful synergy to fight the criminals in a unified direction.
In his respons, Governor Bello Mohammed said he was glad with the kind of response he gets from the Prime Minister and also feels highly honoured with the way the Prime Minister squizes time inspite of his tight schedules to visit Zamfara
“when I told President Muhammadu Buhari of your coming, he was very much elated and ask me to extend his goodwill message to you and your government. He has also asked me to call on you to continue assisting Nigeria in its effort to ending the menace of criminality which affects the two countries”, Matawalle added.
Governor Matwalle also extended the request of the Inspector-General of Police, Abdullahi Adamu to the Prime Minister on the need for the Nigerenian government to help Nigeria in the area of blocking the movement of illegal weapons into the country.
“We are aware that due to the pressure on those who smuggle weapons into Nigeria on vehicles, they have now resorted to the use of camels. I have decided to assist with five vans for surveillance in addition to drones we have already given to the border security of Niger”, Matawalle added.
