President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said the endless killings by terrorist elements in Africa can only end if leaders work assiduously toward curtailing terrorism financing. The President according to a statement issued by his media aide, Shehu Garba stated this on Saturday evening at the meeting of the African Union and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He quoted the President as saying for terrorism to be checked in Africa, “concerted efforts must be made to not only dismantle the network between transnational organised crimes and terrorist organisations, but also to block the payment of ransom to terrorist groups.”
He reiterated Nigeria's resolve to vigorously support counter terrorism efforts within the AU and the United Nations stressing that the AU must also look at the possibility of developing an AU data base of persons or groups and entities involved in terrorist acts for use by law enforcement agents. He added that “Nigeria believes that the timely establishment of this tool at the continental level will be strategic in this fight.’’
Speaking further, President Buhari appealed for collaborative measures to disrupt the recruitment of terrorists, their financing networks and the movement of foreign fighters adding that military measures alone can do very little in the fight against terrorism.
“Terrorism cannot be defeated only through military force and law enforcement measures. We need to adopt a multifaceted approach of good governance, economic development and creation of job opportunities for our youth.”
