President Buhari Told Niger To Send Nigerian Refugees Back To Their Country

On Wednesday, June 3, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari made his first foreign trip as Nigeria’s democratic leader to the Republic of Niger.

His visit was part of the process of his administrations push against terrorists in the northeastern region of Nigeria and areas where I shares borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

In his speech at the occasion of his visit to Niger’s President, Buhari expressed thanks for the regional cooperation Nigeria has enjoyed with its neighbours in fighting the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

In his speech at the reception in his honour in Niamey, Buhari said, “Permit me to begin, first and foremost, by expressing my deepest thanks to my host and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou, and the good people of Niger Republic for the warm display of traditional African hospitality showered on me and my delegation since our arrival in Niamey.

“The extraordinary warmth and goodwill shown to us is further affirmation that, indeed, Nigeria and Niger are one. Our visit to this beautiful city has served to underline this deep-rooted fraternal and age-long relationship that has existed between our two sister countries.

“Permit me also to acknowledge the consistency with which the government and people of Niger Republic have stood beside Nigeria under all circumstances. Here, I would like to convey the appreciation of Nigeria for the sacrifices by Niger in the on-going efforts to counter the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We appreciate your efforts and extend our condolences over the loss of lives occasioned by the insurgents’ attack recently and pray that Almighty Allah will grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear such losses. We also pray for the quick recovery of all those injured in the struggle.”

Buhari noted that Niger has been an ally to Nigeria over the years, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, and he wished for the relationship between the two countries to continue and consolidated during his administration.

“My administration will bring new impetus and a renewed commitment to the efforts to wipe out the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents. As a first step, we have directed the relocation of the command post of the counter-insurgency operations to Maiduguri until such a time that the insurgency is completely defeated.

“I wish to reassure that with the new impetus and resolve to seek for closer collaboration with our neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, Boko Haram insurgency will soon be defeated, insha Allah.

“Another issue of concern to us, which is closely associated with the insurgency in the region, is the influx of refugees and other displaced persons. We are aware that, currently, there are over 150,000 displaced persons comprising refugees and returnees taking refuge in various parts of Niger.

“We appreciate the untiring efforts and the huge burden being shouldered by the government of Niger, international humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organisations as well as host communities,” the President said.

He promised that Nigeria would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and their host communities. Stressing, however, that the main objective “remains to end the insurgency and facilitate (the displaced persons’) return to their homes.”

He also talked about the illegal migration and human trafficking, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, given that Niger was a major transit point. Nigeria, he said, would support the new initiatives by the European Union and other stakeholders in stopping the menace.

“Niger is geographically located in the centre of armed conflict zones with the attendant security challenges. We shall endeavour to improve surveillance and initiate joint patrols of our common borders with a view to curtailing the activities of the perpetrators of this crime,” Buhari said.

Source: Dailyindependent