President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, endorsed recommendation on setting up an African Standby Force on Terrorism.

He also called on leaders to muster the political will that would fuel synergy, enhance intelligence gathering and bring more urgency in tackling violent crimes.

Garba Shehu, the president’s media aide in a statement on Saturday, said the president stated this at the 16th African Union Extra-ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union on Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa.

The president said resources meant for development of countries had been channelled into fighting violent crimes, leaving many governments with less options on investing in people to meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goals.

Following presentation of a report on Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa at the meeting, Mr Buhari highlighted four items on the recommendation for immediate action.

“In the West African region, we are working very hard through the instrumentality of ECOWAS to combat terrorism.

“The Multi National Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region and the G5 in the Sahel have continued to degrade the insurgents by substantially reducing their capacity to inflict harm on our citizens.

“Mr Chairman, these efforts however, need to be strengthened and complemented by the African Union, through the African Union Peace and Security Architecture.

“It is for this reason, Mr Chairperson, that we endorse the key recommendations contained in your report. Some of the recommendations which we believe should be implemented immediately include;

“Increasing troop levels in situations of combating terrorism, and enhancing intelligence capabilities of deployed troops, including improving the operational cooperation of contingents in the operation areas;

“Ensuring the readiness of the African Standby Force for immediate response when a Member State is under terrorist threat;

“Strengthening the fight against cybercrime, money laundering, drugs and arms trafficking, smuggling of persons and counterfeit goods, which facilitate terrorist financing;

“Ensuring that specialized institutions like the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism and AFRIPOL, are adequately resourced in order for them to effectively discharge their mandate,” he said.

(NAN)