In this regard, a Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) and National Intelligence Fusion Centre for coordinated action against terrorism, including intelligence sharing in response to the security challenges posed by Boko Haram insurgency and Terrorism have been put in place.
As an indication of the success of this experiment, the RIFU achieved 98 per cent increase in intelligence sharing in 2016, with more countries seeking to join the Unit.
The second approach to the threat of terrorism by Nigeria is tagged the “Hard Approach.”
The Forum was briefed by our officials on ongoing intensification of Air and Ground Military Offensive against the Boko Haram group and its bases. There is also an ongoing:
• Deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Satellite Imagery to gather Intelligence to assist in detecting locations of the terrorists;
• Supply of modern military equipment and hardware to the military;
• Relocation of Military Command and Control to Maiduguri, Borno State, the epicentre of Boko Haram/Terrorism activities;
• Boosting the morale of Military Officers and Soldiers engaged in combat operations, including through training and re-training;
• Sustenance of Joint Operations between Nigeria and her neighbours;
• Full operationalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) under the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to combat Boko Haram menace;
• Substantial degrading of the capacity of Boko Haram to hold territories and carry out massive attacks.
President Buhari made it clear that the fight against corruption in his country aims at addressing factors that promote terrorism and violent extremism.
“Corruption,” said the President “deprives the citizens including the youth of their right to basic necessities of life including education, health and employment.”
He informed them that his administration had put in place an empowerment program targeting 500,000 youth, of which 200,000 have been employed in the first instance.
Following this excellent presentation, many countries expressed their appreciation of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism mechanisms and efforts.
A major objective of the Dakar Forum is the strengthening of African Unity with a view to finding their own solutions to the problems of security on the continent.
This is in line with the theme for this year’s meeting which is “Africa Meets Its Security Challenges: Viewpoints For Efficient Solutions.”
To achieve this, the leaders agreed to use common security platforms to achieve the goal of a unified African approach.
Some of these will hopefully see African Navies and Maritime agencies working together to secure international waters.
It has since been recognized that a stable maritime environment is critical for regional and global security and that states acting in isolation of one another have tended to achieve very little.
The threat of sea-borne terror and piracy continues to pose a strong challenge, with pirates moving from Somalia to the Gulf of Guinea.
The meeting recognized the efforts of Nigeria and her maritime neighbours to counter the situation. Going forward, African Navies should be working more closely with each other.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to learn from each other on how best to get international partnerships to work together for common solutions to shared problems.
To this end, defence and security establishments will march together to confront the new challenges facing the continent and will cooperate with one another by sharing intelligence, training and synergy.
This country’s President Muhammadu Buhari was clearly the toast of by all at the interactive session.
The model of cooperation put in place by the leaders of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Countries, and the impressive success recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF will serve a strong motivation for the actualization of a continent-wide mechanism for military intervention in crisis situations.
Each country has however been implored to start by taking charge of their territories and resources to avoid their falling into the hands of terrorists.
To confront the threat of the spread of hate speech, radicalisation and violent extremism, the Africa leaders will each in their countries keep an eye on the internet.
In an important decision taken, the Forum noted that rising connectivity has helped the growth of extremism and radicalization, and leaders were urged to make state institutions to be more mindful of those seeking to incite violence using social media platforms.
African private sector has equally been urged to key into the efforts to build new pillars of economic activities on the continent to reduce joblessness and crime.
Participants agreed that the private sector is an equal stakeholder in peace and security in Africa and for this reason, businesses on the continent must brace up for more involvement in this regard as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The Dakar Forum also adopted several measures to advance the vision of conflict-free Africa by 2020.
At his usual interaction with Nigerians in countries he visits, President Muhammadu Buhari held a meeting with an important group made up of leaders of various Nigerian associations in Senegal and Cote D’lvoire.
These leaders expressed their strong confidence in the leadership of the President and enlisted their full support for his efforts to secure the country, decimate corruption and restructure the economy for employment and growth.
The President was accompanied on the trip by the ministers of Interior, General Abdul-Rahman Danbazau (rtd), Defence, General Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.
Others included the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno (rtd), the Director, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador AYO Oke and the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Gabriel Olonisakin.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to President (Media & Publicity)
Abuja