Abuja:The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged for stronger regional security cooperation among ECOWAS member states to combat emerging threats.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu emphasized the importance of collaboration during a meeting with Brig.-Gen. Sheik Massaquoi, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, who visited the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting highlighted the need for collective efforts to address complex and transnational security challenges.
Shaibu identified issues such as terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime as challenges that cannot be effectively managed by individual countries alone. He called for military leaders in the region to combine their expertise and operational experience to develop effective responses to these threats.
He proposed enhanced military-to-military cooperation through regular dialogue, intelligence sharing, joint training, and exercises. Shaibu also stressed the importance of reviewing and harmonizing military doctrines to improve the operational readiness and interoperability of regional forces.
The Chief of Army Staff reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to regional security obligations and its support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the ECOWAS security framework. He highlighted the significance of a robust regional security system in maintaining peace and fostering sustainable development in West Africa.
Brig.-Gen. Massaquoi expressed gratitude for the Nigerian Army’s hospitality and acknowledged Nigeria’s significant contributions to regional peacekeeping and security. He advocated for strengthening the ECOWAS Standby Force to enhance its responsiveness and effectiveness in maintaining regional stability.
Massaquoi also called for updated military doctrines and stronger defense partnerships among member states, urging Nigeria to continue its support in bolstering the operational capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force.