The U.S. says it has concluded plans to begin the implementation of the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), a comprehensive security master plan aimed at defeating terrorism and security threats in Nigeria.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abudulrahman Dambazau.
The SGI is an initiative of the U.S. Government that offers enhanced approach to security sector assistance beginning with six African countries, including Nigeria.
The envoy said that a crack team from the SGI would be arriving Nigeria in January 2016 as part of efforts to assist Nigeria in dealing with all forms of security threat to the country.
“We are ready to partner with you on security. As you know the Security Governance Initiative (SGI) is meant to enhance the security sector, so we will be having a team here in Nigeria by January”, he said.
He explained that the SGI would be implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Government so as to ensure a holistic and efficient outcome.
Entwistle also said that the U.S. had concluded plans for the training of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies so as to professionally deal with the threat of terrorism and all other forms of crime.
“As the situation in the North-East improves, we need to look at issues of the Police going back to the North-East and explore ways we can help with their training”, he said.
He, however, stressed that all forms of assistance and support will be at the request of the Nigerian Government as demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari when he visited the U.S. recently.
In his response, Dambazau expressed gratitude to the U.S. envoy for the visit and assured of the readiness of the Federal government to continue to partner with the U.S.
He said the SGI was a welcome initiative that must involve all stakeholders in the security sector for it to succeed.
“We want to assure you that on our own part we will fulfill our own part of the partnership (SGI) and we are confident that you will also fulfill your own part of the initiative”, he said.
He described the Ministry of Interior as very crucial to internal security in Nigeria and emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure peace and stability in the country. (NAN)
