Defence minister urges ECOWAS Defence chiefs to tackle security challenges

BY ANDREW OROLUA

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called on the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen their security cooperation inorder to enhance their defence capabilities against any security threat.

The Minister made the call at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence staff holding in Abuja.

A statement by Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, stated that the meeting brought together top military leaders from West Africa to address the region’s pressing complex security challenges and concerns.

Badaru emphasised the significance of collective efforts in combating terrorism, cross-border crimes, and hybrid threats, stressing the need for enhanced regional security cooperation to safeguard nations and promote sustainable development.

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According to him, the meeting will focus on critical issues, including the proposed ECOWAS Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone, ongoing peace operations, and the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force.

The Minister encouraged open dialogue, shared expertise, and collaborative solutions to strengthen security cooperation and enhance regional defence capabilities.

While he reaffirmed the commitment to achieving peace and security in West Africa, the Minister said the security landscape of West Africa is presently marked by both complex challenges and called for joint efforts towards countering terrorism, managing cross- border crimes amongst others in the region.