Mr Tinubu praised the commitment of the NAF in advancing national security objectives and assured continued support for defence modernisation.
The diplomats highlighted the promising prospects opened by the Royal Atlantic Initiative for the Sahel countries.
The three countries officially quit ECOWAS earlier this year, claiming the bloc had deviated from its founding principles by becoming the West’s stooge.
He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host a befitting forum in Abuja come 2026.
On January 29, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally withdrew from the regional bloc.
The alliance said it “vigorously condemned’’ the downing of the drone, which was flying near the Algerian border town of Tin Zaouatine on March 31-April 1.
Mr Dauda described the journey as his unique way of honouring ECOWAS’ golden jubilee.
Mr Awhen added that the rescued girl disclosed to them that more young girls from the state are still in Mali engaged in prostitution.
The spokesperson added that rescued migrants were being assisted in Lampedusa by the UNHCR and its partner agency the International Rescue Committee.
Mr Musah called on the ECOWAS defence chiefs to critically examine the implications of their withdrawal on regional security during their deliberations.
