President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Nigerian team of the United States (US)-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG) on security as part of measures to strengthen collaboration with the US in tackling security challenges in Nigeria.
This development is following the recent visit by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to Washington, D.C., to meet top US government officials to discuss insecurity in the country.
According to a statement, the NSA has been directed to lead the Nigerian side, comprising key stakeholders from relevant government agencies.
Members include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro.
Others include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement noted that the role of secretariat would be assigned to Ms. Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US.
“President Tinubu urged members of the JWG to work assiduously with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalization of all agreements across sectors,” the statement added.
According to reports, the JWG is expected to ensure seamless coordination of intelligence sharing, counterterrorism efforts, and other bilateral agreements designed to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
More details later.