Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has described terrorism as a marathon race that must be surmounted with determination.
The minister stated this in an interactive session with visiting delegates from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence.
Obanikoro observed that it took Sri Lanka about 40 years to curb acts of terrorism by the LTTE terror group in their country, adding that Nigeria stands to benefit from their wealth of experience.
The minister noted that the bay of Mogadishu has been a hotspot for piracy and employed Nigeria and Sri Lanka to cooperate to curb menace at the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, Acting Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Neomal Perera, said their visit to Nigeria was to enhance the bilateral maritime cooperation between the two countries.
“Nigeria is a regional power in Africa, the government of Sri Lanka wishes to share its immense experience gained in the war against piracy in the Indian Ocean with her,” he said.
Perera observed that piracy is an international crime, and call for proactive steps to curb it in the India Ocean, the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea.
He added that Sri Lanka counter piracy activities in the Indian Ocean has been successful.
He said Sri Lanka, in a bid to adhere to the United Nations protocol, has developed strategies to support counter piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
“This effort has reduced the incidents of piracy in that area.”
The Sri Lankan minister said his country sympathise with President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria on the loss of lives caused by acts of violence by terrorists in Nigeria. “As a follow up, His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka has directed that the experience gained in successful eradication of all forms of terrorism in Sri Lanka be shared with Nigeria,” he added.
Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Isma’ila, in his welcome address said Nigeria was ready to share in Sri Lanka’s wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of curbing terrorism and piracy. - AllAfrica
