Boko Haram remains major challenge to West Africa —Buhari

THE president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, said Boko Haram terrorism activities still remain the biggest challenge confronting not only Nigeria, but the rest of the West African region. This came just as the president of Chad, Idris Derby, promised continued total support in fighting the Boko Haram, adding that his country would continue to work closely with Nigeria in the area of stability of the region. Both leaders addressed newsmen after a closed- door meeting at the Defence House, Abuja. According to Buhari, “the biggest challenge in this region is Boko Haram and we have seen how Chad, Niger and Cameroon have been helping Nigeria to secure the border and we know what effect it had on commerce and industry. “Some of the bridges were blown off, some of the infrastructure were destroyed. So these are the priorities we have discussed, and God willing, when the government gets in place, we will again see it and make sure that we have a comprehensive review of the situation in that area and how it affects our people. That is the main issue we discussed,” he stated. The Chadian president, who spoke through an interpreter, told newsmen that “we came to congratulate the president-elect on the best election ever seen in Africa. “As you see, Mr President-elect is emphasising on the fact that Nigeria and Chad are two countries with one people. We have many things in common, many destinies, a long history together and this is the first visit to meet with the president-elect. “Like you know, Chad and Nigeria are facing the same challenges, meeting the same perspective for the people. Both of them are members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and here, the two countries, together with other members, will bring about peace, stability and security in the sub-region. “Of course, the core issue, the Boko Haram, can be handled by the two countries. We will have a joint action in order to handle the issue of Boko Haram and Insha Allah, we will overcome it.”