Tinubu Advocates for Regional Standby Force to Address Insecurity in West Africa

Bola Tinubu, in a statement delivered by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, called for the reactivation of a regional standby force to bolster collective security efforts in West Africa and the Sahel region. Tinubu highlighted the importance of leveraging Nigeria's role as a counter-terrorism hub in Abuja.

He stressed the significance of stronger multilateral cooperation to tackle the worsening security situation in the Sahel. Tinubu also urged West African states to utilize Nigeria's infrastructure to establish regional mechanisms to counter cyber threats.

He warned about the growing use of cyberspace by terrorist groups to spread misinformation and destabilize the region. Tinubu emphasized the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and coordination to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime effectively.

He pointed out the volatile security situation in West Africa, with rising casualties and the exploitation of power vacuums by militant groups. Tinubu also highlighted political divisions and the overreliance on foreign support as major obstacles to effective counterterrorism cooperation in the region.