EU, Army to tackle herdsmen

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai looks on at the headquaters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Borno State. Photo: AFP

The European Union has collaborated with the Nigerian Army to tackle the herdsmen killings and other insecurity issues in the country.

The EU said it was also interested in collaborations towards the 2019 general elections and the security of the Niger Delta region.

According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, on Saturday, the EU gave this assurance during a visit by its delegation to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja, where the EU officials met with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The army noted that the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, said, “This organisation will partner the army in the provision of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to combat the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal gangs.”

The army spokesman said, “The ambassador also sought clarifications on the farmers/herders clashes, the Nigerian Army’s role in elections, and security in the Niger Delta.

“In his response, the army chief, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. David Ahmadu, expressed the readiness of the army to collaborate with the EU in order to totally defeat Boko Haram.”