Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration spent over $2.6 billion to address the humanitarian challenges caused by Boko Haram terrorists in 2016.
Olonisakin also noted that Nigeria’s effort to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists was part of wider efforts to combat violent extremism globally, especially the defeat of ISIS.
Daily Post reports that he made the disclosure in Washington, D.C. at the meeting of the ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’ on Thursday.
He said, “After over $2.6 billion was spent by the Nigerian Government to address humanitarian needs in 2016 – more needs were seen when areas were recovered from Boko Haram.”
Olonisakin emphasized the role of the coalition to defeat terrorists, drawing from the Boko Haram experience.
“The multinational joint task force is a good example of how a coalition can help tackle terrorism and extremism – in our case, the terrorist group Boko Haram which is a threat to collective global security.
“Many in this room joined us in Oslo, Norway just last February to show support with Nigeria.
“Coalition is fundamental. We, therefore, commend Secretary Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump for remaining committed to fighting the global enemy of us all – terrorism.
“This meeting, therefore, will further strengthen our collective resolve and determination to destroy and defeat ISIS.
“To this end, Nigeria is prepared to work with the coalition in the pursuit of the first lines of efforts towards the realization of the aims of the global coalition.
“It is imperative that as part of the objectives of the meeting, global leaders should consider the value of timely sharing of information and best practices on addressing cross-border threats.”
