The French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Adrian has commended the bravery and courage shown so far by the Nigerian military in its fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
Speaking to Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali during his visit to Abuja, the French minister stated that the victory achieved by the country’s military was a source of hope to France, adding that terrorist’s organizations plotting against the country would be defeated.
He said:-
“I am pleased with the cooperation between the Nigerian Defence Ministry and the French Ministry of Defence. I will like to salute the bravery and courage of the Nigerian Forces in the fight against Boko Haram. I will be visiting the headquarters of the Multi National Joint Task Force in Ndjamena which is also headed by a Nigerian General, to see how things are going and can be improved upon.
“The fight against the barbaric organization, Boko Haram in Nigeria is the same fight that we have in France because these terrorists groups that are hitting Nigeria are the same that we have in France.
“The second phase that we are looking into is about maritime insecurity. We are extremely happy to help Nigeria in this area which is going to be a much longer term effort in order to guarantee security in the Gulf of Guinea”.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence said the visit of the French minister has made a very big impact on our Defence cooperation with France.
“If you remember our president was in Paris and he also went to neighboring countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon, this is to strengthen cooperation between us and our neighboring countries; and France has a great influence on these countries and that is why we are looking forward to a fruitful defence relations with France.
“Nigeria will benefit in the sense that as we are fighting terrorism in connection with France and other neighboring countries, it will give us an impact in controlling or ending terrorism within our sub region and the world at large.