TheCable

Nigeria may recall its soldiers who are in peacekeeping missions abroad, Mike Omeri, director general of the National Orientation Agency and coordinator of the national information centre, has said.

Omeri, who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said the troops in foreign missions may be recalled to reinforce the capability of the Nigerian military.

He argued that Nigerian troops abroad had acquired skills that would be useful in prosecuting the war against insurgency in the country.

Omeri stated that the government would do everything to protect its citizens; hence the need to bring home its soldiers abroad to join in the fight against Boko Haram.

He remarked that Nigeria welcomes the support of United Nations in the fight against insurgency, adding that the country would seek international partnerships that would not undermine its sovereignty.

“Regarding the recent barbaric attacks in the north-eastern part of the country, the United Nations has condemned, in the strongest terms, the activities of the Boko Haram and we welcome the international solidarity shown by the world body through its Security Council, which demands that Boko Haram immediately and unequivocally cease all hostilities and abuses of human rights and other violations of international humanitarian law. Nigeria welcomes this expression of international support for the defeat of Boko Haram, working in collaboration with its neighbours – Chad, Cameroun, Niger and Benin,” he said.

“In the face of the various challenges militating against the full operationalisation of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and its apparent collapse, a number of African countries converged in Niamey, Niger Republic on January 20, 2015 with the sole aim of seeking authorisation from the UN Security Council, through the African Union, to set up, fund and deploy a more effective multinational force to fight Boko Haram. While it is expected that this meeting will yield positive results, the Nigerian position at the meeting remains that:

“The challenge of Boko Haram insurgency, though a Nigerian challenge, is a threat to regional and international peace and security, which requires the concerted action of Nigeria and friendly countries to combat;

“There is a need for a ‘troops surge’ in operational areas, which may require recalling Nigerian troops from peacekeeping missions abroad to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian military.

“Nigeria and her neighbours should improve on the effective management of their borders, while the Abuja Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit should collaborate with the Intelligence Coordination Centre based in Chad in intelligence sharing.

“Offer of military and humanitarian assistance from regional and international bodies should be deployed along Nigeria’s common borders with neighbouring countries with a clear mandate, command and control, as well as rule of engagement.”