Maritime security to top Nigerian president's visit to Malabo

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is to travel to Malabo, in continuation of the government's efforts to achieve greater security of lives, resources and investments in all parts of the country and its sub-region.

Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina said in a statement reaching Xinhua on Sunday that Buhari would be in Malabo on Monday for talks with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea on further measures to protect the people and resources of the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea is expected to sign an agreement on Tuesday for the establishment of a combined maritime policing and security patrol committee during the visit, he added.

Adesina said 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 oil rigs, arms smuggling and human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea.

Both leaders will also discuss 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, he said.

The summit was to have been hosted by Equatorial Guinea last year but was postponed because of Nigeria's general elections.

The president, according to the statement, will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Defense, Rtd. Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, the National Security Adviser, Rtd. Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and other senior security officials. Endit