Terrorism In Nigeria Complex, Says UK Minister For Africa

British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, has said the
disturbing trend of violence unleashed on Nigerians by the Boko
Haram sect and allied groups is a complex phenomenon that requires
varied approaches to resolve.

Duddridge said this while fielding questions from reporters on
Tuesday, when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy visit on the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.

He said the United Kingdom is a strong ally of Nigeria in the
efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by terrorism and
insurgency.

He stated, “The situation is massively complex and no
partnership is going to resolve the multiplicity of problems
whether it is Boko Haram or Daesh or a number of other issues. In
the UK you have a strong partner across the full gamut of issues,
so, it is not just about intelligence and hard security and
military, it is about societies, it is about humanitarian support,
it is about education and development partnership.

“It is not an end game, we don’t get to a point where we would
say ‘ this is the end of our relationship with Nigeria,’ because we
got what we want, we set a higher bar, we are long –term
partners.”

Speaking earlier, Duddridge noted that the relationship between
the UK and Nigeria is important on the African continent not just
because Nigeria is a big and populous country but also because of
the role that Nigeria plays in the African region.

He said both countries will deepen post COVID-19 relations and
work together to tackle climate change as well as realize the
objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Onyeama decried the complex nature of the challenges the country
was facing, especially in the North-East due to the unconventional
nature of the war against terrorism.

“It is not a conventional war, where the enemy is readily
identifiable; it is asymmetrical warfare, and we are dealing with
very difficult situations. We have an intelligence fusion unit with
our partners -the US, UK, France,’’ he said, adding that
intelligence sharing will continue to help.

Onyeama also noted that there was multiplicity of issues to
address such as deradicalisation, education, jobs, girl-child
education and so many others needed to resolve the challenges of
terrorism.

Earlier, the minister told his British guests that although
Nigeria was still struggling with high level of inflation and
unemployment, the Nigerian economy has shown some signs of
improvement ‘’because the government has stuck vigorously to its
economic growth plan with discipline and hoping to see more
improvements.’’

He also expressed delight that the COVID-19 figures are going
down in Nigeria, even as he lauded the support of the United
Kingdom in the various challenges facing the country, especially in
the North-East and other parts of the country.

British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, has said the
disturbing trend of violence unleashed on Nigerians by the Boko
Haram sect and allied groups is a complex phenomenon that requires
varied approaches to resolve.

Duddridge said this while fielding questions from reporters on
Tuesday, when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy visit on the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.

He said the United Kingdom is a strong ally of Nigeria in the
efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by terrorism and
insurgency.

He stated, “The situation is massively complex and no
partnership is going to resolve the multiplicity of problems
whether it is Boko Haram or Daesh or a number of other issues. In
the UK you have a strong partner across the full gamut of issues,
so, it is not just about intelligence and hard security and
military, it is about societies, it is about humanitarian support,
it is about education and development partnership.

“It is not an end game, we don’t get to a point where we would
say ‘ this is the end of our relationship with Nigeria,’ because we
got what we want, we set a higher bar, we are long –term
partners.”

Speaking earlier, Duddridge noted that the relationship between
the UK and Nigeria is important on the African continent not just
because Nigeria is a big and populous country but also because of
the role that Nigeria plays in the African region.

He said both countries will deepen post COVID-19 relations and
work together to tackle climate change as well as realize the
objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Onyeama decried the complex nature of the challenges the country
was facing, especially in the North-East due to the unconventional
nature of the war against terrorism.

“It is not a conventional war, where the enemy is readily
identifiable; it is asymmetrical warfare, and we are dealing with
very difficult situations. We have an intelligence fusion unit with
our partners -the US, UK, France,’’ he said, adding that
intelligence sharing will continue to help.

Onyeama also noted that there was multiplicity of issues to
address such as deradicalisation, education, jobs, girl-child
education and so many others needed to resolve the challenges of
terrorism.

Earlier, the minister told his British guests that although
Nigeria was still struggling with high level of inflation and
unemployment, the Nigerian economy has shown some signs of
improvement ‘’because the government has stuck vigorously to its
economic growth plan with discipline and hoping to see more
improvements.’’

He also expressed delight that the COVID-19 figures are going
down in Nigeria, even as he lauded the support of the United
Kingdom in the various challenges facing the country, especially in
the North-East and other parts of the country.