Insecurity: Nigerian Armed Forces meet Nigerien counterparts on joint operations

A joint security team from 8 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), comprising of representatives from the Army, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have visited their counterparts in Niger Republic.

A statement signed by Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations and released to journalists revealed that the aim of the visit was to discuss further modalities to enhance and promote joint military/security inter-border relations among the security agencies of both countries.

According to Musa, “the meeting was held in Dakana, Niger Republic, where the Nigerian delegate “extensively and fruitfully brainstormed with their Nigerien counterparts on the unfolding security challenges in Sokoto State and the environs.

“The security threats along the international boundary between Niger Republic and Nigeria necessitated the establishment of a joint military border patrol in September 2018.

“The main objective of the joint security venture was to checkmate the menace of  cross border armed banditry and other criminalities across the nations  porous borders,” he added.

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The statement disclosed that the Joint Security Team from Nigeria was led by the Commander 1 Brigade, Brigadier General LKN Udeagbala, who represented the General Officer Commanding 8 Division.

Others in the team were Commander 8 Division Garrison Brigadier General I.O.O. Olotta, Commander 8 Military Intelligence Brigade, Brigadier General J Maina and the Commanding Officer 26 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel IB Sheriff; Commissioner of Police Sokoto State, I Kaoje; Director, Department of State Security Services, Sokoto State, Mr Ibrahim Salama; Comptroller of Customs, Mr B.U. Gimba and heads of Immigration Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Sokoto State, Mr E.S. Fagbamigbe and Mr U.M. Bala respectively.

The representatives  included Commanding Officer, Special Intervention Command, Lieutenant Colonel Saminou Mani; Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Siddo Seyni and other officers.

The statement further added that the  Nigerian team used the opportunity of the meeting to visit refugees at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Dankano.