By Deji Elumoye
President Muhammadu Buhari has canvassed for stronger ties between Nigeria and her neighbours in the onerous task of fighting terrorism.
The President, according to a statement issued yesterday by his Media Assistant, Malam Garba Shehu, called his Niger Republic counterpart, Mahamadou Issoufou, on phone to sympathise with him and citizens of the neighbouring country, following recent killing of 137 people while strongly condemning the terrorist’s attacks, describing it as heinous.
He said: “Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of victims and people of Niger Republic. Nigeria stands with all her neighbours in the fight against terrorism”.
Shehu noted that the two Presidents also agreed to strengthen sub-regional security as a way to push back against Boko Haram and Islam in West Africa, ISWA’s worrisome assertiveness in sub- Sahara and Sahel regions.
Armed attackers riding motorcycles had killed 137 people in coordinated raids on villages in southwestern Niger on Sunday, making it one of the deadliest days in recent memory in a country ravaged by Islamist violence.
According to ageny reports, unidentified assailants struck in the afternoon, raiding three villages and other hamlets in the Tahoua region bordering Mali, the government said on Monday.
“By systematically targeting civilians, these armed bandits are reaching a new level of horror and savagery,” it said in a statement, announcing three days of national mourning.
