The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS security initiatives to tackle terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime in West Africa.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Tuesday when the outgoing and incoming Chairmen of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) Lt.-Gen. Amara Bangura, and Vice Adm. Oumar Wade, paid him a courtesy in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, and made available to news men on Tuesday.
The CDS described the visit as a demonstration of solidarity and shared purpose among the military leadership of ECOWAS member states.
He called for stronger unity and cooperation among member countries, urging them to set aside political differences and bilateral disagreements to confront common security threats.
“Security is indivisible and no nation can secure itself alone,” the CDS said.
Oluyede assured Wade of Nigeria’s support during his tenure, expressing confidence that stronger cooperation would enhance the effectiveness of the sub-region’s collective security mechanism.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman, Bangura, who is the Chief of Defence Staff of Sierra Leone, commended Nigeria for her sustained support for the ECOWAS security architecture.
Bangura said himself and Wade had spent the preceding two days conducting formal handover activities for the committee’s leadership.
He expressed appreciation to Nigeria on her contributions to regional security, particularly its historical support for Sierra Leone during the civil war and subsequent peace consolidation efforts.
He also acknowledged Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism cooperation and logistics support across the sub-region.
Bangura urged Oluyede to extend similar support to his successor to strengthen regional peace and security.
The incoming chairman,Wade, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff of Senegal, thanked Nigeria for her hospitality and called for sustained support to enable the committee discharge its mandate.
He identified terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity as major challenges confronting West Africa.
He also described Nigeria as a regional leader and anchor state, stressing the importance of her continued guidance and active participation in collective security efforts.(NAN)
