From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will, today, depart Abuja for Malabo to hold talks with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea on further measures to protect the people and resources of the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea.
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement said the visit is in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve greater security of lives, resources and investments in all parts of Nigeria and its sub-region.
The major outcome of the meeting will be the conclusion and signing of an agreement by both countries for the establishment of a combined maritime policing and security patrol committee.
Buhari and Mbasogo are also expected to discuss and agree on other collaborative measures to combat crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, attacks on oilrigs, arms smuggling and human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both leaders will also confer on the rescheduling of the joint summit of the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States on additional cooperative measures to curb terrorism and violent extremism in West and Central Africa.
The summit was to have been hosted by Equatorial Guinea last year but was postponed because of Nigeria’s general elections.
In accordance with the main focus and agenda of the trip, Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (retd.), National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd) and other senior security officials. He is scheduled to return to Abuja tomorrow.