Nigeria will cooperate with neighbors to fight crime - President

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said Nigeria would cooperate with neighboring countries to fight the challenge posed by cross-border banditry, terrorism and piracy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
President Jonathan was speaking to President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, during bilateral talks between the two countries at State House, Thursday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
He said, 'criminals don't respect political boundaries in their nefarious activities, so we will cooperate with one another to find lasting solutions to the problems they pose'.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
President Jonathan said relevant Nigerian government officials will be in contact with their Beninois counterparts to find appropriate ways to deal with the situation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earlier, the Beninois President, Mr. Boni Yayi had informed President Jonathan that pirates and bandits were threatening the security of ports in that country and the Gulf of Guinea coastline, and called for concerted action, led by Nigeria, to check this menace.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
He also discussed efforts to check unemployment, and the development of agriculture, and informed President Jonathan that the Benin Republic University was planning to honour him with a Doctorate degree.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Also today, President Jonathan received the out-going ambassadors of Cuba and Morocco, Mr. Elio Savon Oliva and Mr. Mustapha Cherqaoui, respectively, who came to pay farewell visits.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
He thanked them for their contributions to the improvement of relations between their countries and Nigeria. Mr. Oliva spent five years in Nigeria, while Mr. Cherqaoui was here for six years.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Musa Aduwak
 
 
 
for: Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity)