Buhari to attend ECOWAS summit on counter terrorism

President Buhari will depart Abuja Saturday to attend the one-day Economic Community of West African States Heads of State and Government Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Adesina said given the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region, the West African leaders had called for the Summit to review different initiatives taken so far, and redefine the priority intervention areas for the containment of the worrisome attacks in the area.

He noted that the decision to convene the Summit was reached at the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on June 29, 2019.

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The Presidential spokesman said Buhari recognises the imperative of collective actions in the fight against terrorism and would continue to partner with ECOWAS member states and international organisations to address the menace.

He said: “In Ouagadougou, ECOWAS leaders are expected to adopt a priority action plan on counter-terrorism and put in place a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the measures adopted towards ensuring lasting peace in the sub-region.

“President Buhari would be accompanied by Governors Abubakar Bello, Dapo Abiodun and Okezie Ikpeazu of Niger, Ogun and Abia States respectively; as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd).

“Also on the President’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj-General Babagana Monguno (retd) and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

“The President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the Summit,” he said.