President Buhari consolidate military cooperation with Benin Republic

Aug 7, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria recently met with his counterpart in the Republic of Benin, to consolidate continued military cooperation against Islamist militant sect Boko Haram.

In a meeting with Yayi Boni in Cotonou, the Nigerian President reaffirmed his country’s determination to strengthen its cooperation with Benin and other neighboring countries in the fight against insurgency.

“I thank Mr. President (Yayi Boni) for identify with us very closely as neighbors, and voluntarily agreeing to participate in Lake Chad Basin Commission’s deployment of troops to make sure that the terrorists Boko Haram do not extend this way,” said Buhari.

President Yayi Boni, welcomed Buhari to celebrate Benin’s Independence Day with a military parade and pledged an 800-strong multinational force to combat Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.

The Islamic sect, who has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State, has over the past two months launched a wave of attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger that have killed hundreds of people.

In recent reports, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb in a crowded market in the city of Maiduguri, North-east of Nigerian. Although the sect hasn’t claimed responsibility for the blast, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said, the attack had all the hallmarks of Boko Haram.

A joint task force comprising of troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin is due to start operations against Boko Haram. Nigeria has announced the appointment of Major General Iliya Abbah as its commander.