Nigeria Establishes Defence Post In Niger Over Terrorism

NIGERIA has embarked on the use of defence diplomacy in its efforts to tackle the threats of terrorism, especially by the Boko Haram sect, as it has intensified cooperation with its Francophone neighbours and the establishment of a defence outpost in Niamey, Niger.Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin stated this yesterday at the end of the 2011 Defence Advisers Annual Conference organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency for Nigeria's 20 Defence Attaches' and Advisers.He added that the establishment of the defence outpost in Niger Republic has become imperative because of the fall out of the crisis over the removal of late Libyan leader, Moumar Gadaffi which had enthroned a state of 'confusion' in the North African nation. This, he said, has provided a safe haven for terrorists intent on destabilising Nigeria.Explaining the frontline position of intelligence on the fight against terrorism, Petinrin stated: 'If war on terrorism is not backed by timely intelligence, it is a most difficult thing to fight.'Nigeria's defence chiefs have maintained that the ongoing terrorist attacks by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is being influenced through other terror networks abroad.Last Sunday, Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister, Abdelkader Messahel, announced in Algiers that intelligence reports show there was coordination between the Boko Haram sect and the Algerian-based Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a North African branch of Al Qaeda.AQIM grew out of a conflict in Algeria between the government and Islamist militants. In the last few years, it has expanded its activities to include Mali, Niger and Mauritania.Even before the announcement, many intelligence experts had held the view that with the way the Boko Haram sect operates, and also based on intelligence reports, 'there is cooperation.'Nigeria's four land neighbours are all Francophone. They include Niger, Chad, Benin Republic and Cameroon.The Defence chief charged Defence Attaches' and Advisers to let the top leadership of the Nigerian military know 'what the effect of the problem in Libya will be on us. It is in the midst of confusion that these criminals, these terrorists function optimally. This is especially as there is more confusion in Libya as they have now turned their guns on one another.'But Petinrin expressed happiness that the terrorists will lose woefully in Nigeria as 'they can't change anything. They may maim some individuals. They may destroy properties. But they can't change anything. Nigeria will remain.
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