ECOWAS To Activate Anti-Terrorism Strategy

The ECOWAS Chairman, President John Mahama has summoned all intelligence chiefs in the West African sub-region for a meeting next week. The meeting is to discuss strategies on the most effective way to deal with the Boko Haram threat in Nigeria. The meeting of the intelligence chiefs will see a modification of ECOWAS� anti-terrorism strategy. Chad and Cameroon will be invited to the meeting which is scheduled to take place in Accra. The Islamist Militant group, Boko Haram abducted over 200 girls last month and instigated two bombing attacks in two lorry stations in Abuja which killed hundreds of people and left several others injured. Speaking to the journalists after meeting Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, President Mahama disclosed that he has been in close consultation with other ECOWAS heads of state over the issue. He stated that all heads of state have agreed that ECOWAS� anti-terrorism strategy be activated to thwart the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria. President Mahama promised that the heads of the state in the sub-region will support Nigeria during these difficult times. Other western nations including, France, Britain and the United States of America have expressed their preparedness to help Nigeria secure the release of the abducted girls. Currently, some experts from the United States have arrived in Nigeria and are set to begin work to salvage the situation. France has also announced plans to station about 3,000 troops in Nigeria�s neighbours to help tackle Islamist militants in the Sahel region.