Nigeria and the Benin Republic have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation and develop real-time intelligence sharing to combat cross-border crime, terrorism, and piracy in West Africa.
Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, secured the agreement during a three-day working visit to Cotonou that ended on Thursday.
Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, made this statement on Friday in Abuja.
Mr Gildas Agonkan, Benin’s Minister of National Defence, hosted the event, where both ministers and the Beninese military leadership reiterated their commitment to democratic governance, land border stability, and Gulf of Guinea security.
Musa stated that the two countries would synchronise regional security systems to address evolving challenges.
Both ministers also agreed to improve intelligence collecting by establishing seamless, real-time intelligence fusion mechanisms to detect and eliminate transnational criminal networks and insurgent cells before they conduct operations.
Musa, who underlined Nigeria’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, encouraged Benin to collaborate with Nigeria to deny safe havens to violent extremist groups operating across shared borders.
“Nigeria shows no tolerance to terrorists, bandits, and armed radicals. We will work with the army of the Republic of Benin to stop all of the bandits and criminals who are killing people in our own countries,” he stated.
Musa inspected Nigerian troops posted at Togbin, Cotonou, as part of Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II, Benin’s Peace Support Mission.
He reassured the troops that the Federal Government was committed to enhancing their welfare and providing the necessary support.
“Mr. President is preparing a lot of excellent things for you, and we are following up to make sure you live well.