AfricaNigeria, Israel cooperate in fighting terrorism
Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan last week led a large Nigerian delegation to an official visit in Israel to discuss cooperation in fighting terrorism. “There is no doubt that Israel has had decades of experience in combating terrorism. Nigeria can benefit tremendously from your experience in this area,” Jonathan told President Shimon Peres. The two countries have also seen an expansion of trade relationship between them, with more the fifty Israeli companies operating in Nigeria.
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria met with President Shimon Peres of Israel and other top Israeli leaders last week. Jonathan was accompanied by a Nigerian delegation of eight governors, several cabinet ministers, three members of the Nigerian National Assembly, and several religious leaders.
The Guardian reports that both presidents discussed the common threats they faced from terrorism and extremism. “With Nigeria at our side on the front against terror, we remain determined as ever to combat the spread of darkness,” said Peres. “You have combated the menace of Boko Haram with a steady hand and great courage. The State of Israel too has been fighting terrorism since its establishment. Terrorists all over the world are united in their attempt to destroy hope and unity. Those of us who seek peace and freedom must be united in order to defend our common front.” he added.
President Jonathan expressed gratitude for Israel’s willingness to share its experience in combating terrorism with Nigeria. “Combating the menace of terrorism is a challenge that we must address in partnership with all peace-loving countries and peoples of the world. I seek the cooperation of your country to confront the security threat from terrorist groups that my country is now facing. There is no doubt that Israel has had decades of experience in combating terrorism. Nigeria can benefit tremendously from your experience in this area.”
The two countries have a relationship that goes beyond security issues.About fifty Israeli companies, in agriculture, construction, communications, infrastructure, water management, education, and health, operate in Nigeria through direct investments and joint ventures. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1960, which was later severed in 1973, following the Yom Kippur War, and renewed in September 1992. Since the renewal of diplomatic relations, Nigeria has become a multi-million dollar export market for Israeli military equipment.
The Nigerian government recently faced public scrutiny due to a $40 million agreement with Israeli technology company Elbit for the use of the company’s Wise Intelligence Technology to monitor Nigeria’s Internet traffic as part of Nigeria’s effort to combat cyberterrorism. Many Nigerians consider the technology and its use as undemocratic.
