…vows not to recognize coup plotters

BY DANIEL IDONOR

ABUJA—PIQUED by rising incidence of trans-border crime and terrorism around Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the country would take definite steps to strengthen security cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The President said the move was to check trans-border crime and terrorism in the West African sub-region.

He expressed concern at reports of an attempted coup in Niger, and said the sub-region would not recognize such intervention in Niger or anywhere else in West Africa.

Jonathan was speaking to President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic at the opening of bilateral talks between delegations of the two nations at State House.

Jonathan said: “Terrorism and trans-border crime pose a serious security threat to all our countries, so we will strengthen border patrols and other areas of cooperation with our neighbours, to ensure the safety of our citizens”.

On food security for the two countries, the President told President Issoufou that Nigeria had plenty of gas and was going to establish plants to produce fertiliser suitable for the different types of soil in the country, and invited Niger to liaise with relevant officials to ensure that appropriate fertiliser was produced for their country.