The United Nations has offered to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in the fight against terrorism, saying since the menace has greatly assumed an international dimension, there is need for a concerted effort to stamp it out.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for African Affairs, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers made the pledge yesterday when he met the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau.
He condemned the extent of international terrorism saying the fight against the menace must be of international dimension.
“The UN will fully mobilize to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and any other renegade behaviour that threatens the peace and stability of the country”, he said.
According to him, the UN appreciates the intrinsic link between peace, security and socio-economic development.
Stating that the UN envisages building a fruitful relationship with the ministry and its allied agencies, the envoy commended the police and other paramilitary officers and men who have served and distinguished themselves at various levels in the UN.
Chambers pledged to continue to work with various security agencies and explore possibilities of training in the area of counter-terrorism. “While it is important to maintain the military aspect of the fight against Boko Haram, we need to expand it to include other security agencies and stakeholders because terrorism is of asymmetrical dimension”, he said.
On transnational crimes, he assured of the willingness of appropriate UN agencies to cooperate and work with agencies in Nigeria to deal with human trafficking, illegal drug sales and banditry, adding that the UN would like to see a sub-region that is able to realize its full potentials.
Responding, Gen. Dambazau promised to leverage on the relationship between Nigeria and the UN in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
He urged the police and other paramilitary agencies to scale up their efforts at securing the border and nipping in the bud, every form of organized and violent crimes in the country.
