B’Haram: UK meets Nigeria, others June 12

0News By Punch

The Nigerian government will be part of a meeting with its neighbouring countries in London on June 12 to discuss how to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

 

This is according to a statement issued by the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Thursday. William Hague, Britain’s Foreign Secretary will host the London Ministerial on Security in northern Nigeria on June 12 during the World Summit on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict. “This will bring together Nigeria, represented by its Foreign Minister, its neighbours Benin, Chad, Cameroon and Niger with the UK, US, France, Canada and the EU to continue the coordination necessary to defeat Boko Haram.

 

“It follows the Paris summit on Boko Haram on May 17. As well as taking forward agreements made in Paris, the meeting will consider what can be more done both to improve regional coordination, and on economic and social development to counter the threat of Boko Haram” the statement said. Speaking on the planned security meeting, the UK’s foreign secretary said that the aim of the meeting was to build on agreements reached earlier in the fight against terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa. “Since the appalling abductions of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Haram, the international community has worked together closely to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

 

“We have already reached some agreements on intelligence sharing; coordinated border patrols; developing a regional counter terrorism strategy; and wider action, including supporting the victims of sexual violence and the empowerment of women and girls. This coordinated action has sent a powerful message of intent. “The London Ministerial on Security in northern Nigeria will build on these agreements and consider further options to combat terrorism in northern Nigeria. This shows the determination of those in the region, with the support of the international community, to defeat Boko Haram. We continue to work through our close international coordination on the ground in Nigeria to help secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls,” the UK’s foreign secretary said.