FG PARTNERS WITH EU ON BOKO HARAM

FG partners EU on Boko Haram
On February 8, 2012 · In News
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By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA – As part of efforts to stop attacks of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, European Union and Nigeria, Wednesday, agreed to engage counter-terrorism experts.

Boko Haram has, in the past months, claimed responsibility for bomb blasts and shootings that have killed over 1,000 people.

A statement by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, and his Danish counterpart, Villy Soevndal, on behalf of the EU, at the end of the two-day third Nigeria-European Union Ministerial Meeting in Abuja, said the experts will be saddled with the responsibility of identifying action plan to tackle security challenges in the Northern part of Nigeria.

They will also ensure continuous peace in the Niger Delta; they agreed on the need for the Federal Government to fully implement its amnesty programme in the region.

Ashiru, who read the statement, said: “The parties shared the same analysis as to peace, security and development challenges in Northern Nigeria, and in particular the threat of the extremist group known as Boko Haram.

“In that regard, they agreed to engage experts with a view to identifying a possible action plan and to enhance their cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, while strengthening efforts in addressing the root causes of the security challenges in the North.

”The parties agreed that the core values which Nigeria and the EU share are key to overcoming terrorism.

“These values include an open society, adherence to the Rule of Law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights.

”The EU expressed its strong support for efforts being made to address causes of the current security threat, including socio-economic, governance and security issues.”