CDS General
Olonisakin
General Olonisakin
CDS General
Olonisakin
General Olonisakin Elected Chairman of ECOWAS Chiefs of
Defence Staff
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel
Olonisakin has called for intensification of intelligence
gathering, joint and combined operations in order to combat the
security threats currently plaguing the ECOWAS region.
General Olonisakin who assumed leadership of the ECOWAS
Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff on Wednesday at the ongoing
39th ordinary meeting in Abuja said collective efforts by each
member state as well as collaboration with other stakeholders and
partners in the pursuit of collective security and economic
development will ensure peace and stability in the region through
the platform provided by ECOWAS.
Listing the threats ranging from insurgency, terrorism to
piracy, human and drugs trafficking, oil theft and other vices at
sea, he said these security threats have been exacerbated by the
proliferation of small arms, and light weapons occasioned by the
numerous porous borders within the sub-region.
General Olonisakin disclosed that the acquisition of these
weapons has emboldened the criminal elements in their nefarious
activities.
“The growing trend of local terrorist organizations affiliated
with and receiving support from well known international terrorist
organizations has also become very worrisome. This trend portends
grave danger to our collective security. It is a matter of concern
that terrorism and violent extremism have continued to threaten the
peace and security of our sub-region. These security threats have
been exacerbated by the proliferation of small arms, and light
weapons occasioned by the numerous porous borders within the
sub-region. This threat calls for collective action on the path of
each member state as well as collaboration with other stakeholders
and partners. In this regard we need to intensify intelligence
gathering, joint and combined operations to combat this menace. It
is hoped that through this frequent interaction of ECOWAS Chiefs of
Defence Staff and our political leaders, our collective efforts at
ensuring peace and stability in our region will be fruitful,” he
added.
While emphasizing the need for more frequent interaction among
the Committeeof Chiefs of DefenceStaff, he described the ongoing
meeting as “another ray of opportunity to interact and avail
ourselves the information and collaboration needed to better the
cause of ECOWAS region.”
He expressed appreciation to Presidents and Commanders-in- Chief
of the Armed Forces of the various countries in the sub-region for
their unwavering commitments to ensuring that their various Armed
Forces are provided with the wherewithal to execute regional
responsibilities despite other competing demands.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence
(Nigeria), Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa called for more training for the
troops to enhance their operational capability.
She congratulated General Olonisakin on his new appointment and
promised the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the
smooth conduct of the Command Post Exercise by the ECOWAS Standby
Force scheduled to hold in Nigeria later in the year.
The Permanent Secretary who was also the Special Guest of Honour
at the meeting enjoined the ECOWAS Standby Force to continue to
support, cooperate and collaborate with the Nigerian military in
the fight against terrorism and other vices facing the nation and
the sub-region.
Also speaking at the event, the immediate past Chairman of the
Committee represented by the Deputy CDS of Togo, Brigadier General
Adjitowou Colman thanked Nigeria for the support, hospitality and
other efforts in helping to secure the sub-region.
Enumerating some of the achievements of the committee, he
mentioned strides made in Liberia, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali
among other countries within the sub-region saying “we are laying
the foundation for our Standby Force to be able to have a better
reaction in the event of security challenges.”
He asked for measures that will tame the terrorists hampering
development in the region.
The Togolese military chief also called for field visits,
exercises, more solidarity, joint actions and other efforts to
monitor and evaluate the readiness of the troops. These he said
will create stability in the region and resist the forces of evil
from spreading.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and
Security, Brigadier General Francis Benhazin while also speaking at
the event enumerated some efforts made by the commission in
containing the crises that could have brewed from disagreements
after local elections in some countries of the sub-region.
The meeting which continues tomorrow will evaluate the security
threats in the ECOWAS sub-region and the surrounding nations while
reinforcing multilateral cooperation among member states.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information