President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday in Abuja that a multinational taskforce would soon be established to patrol the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.
The president disclosed this at an audience with the French Minister of Defence, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian.
He said that patrols by the multinational taskforce would augment and boost ongoing efforts to improve security in the Gulf, and curb crude oil theft and piracy.
President Buhari acknowledged French Government’s support for the Federal Government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
He expressed his government’s appreciation of the assistance and support of France and other G7 countries, which he said, had helped Nigeria achieve significant successes against the Boko Haram insurgency.
“When we got into office in May, last year, Boko Haram was effectively controlling at least 14 local government areas. But now, it is no longer so, and they have resorted to attacking soft targets with Improvised Explosive Devices.
“We are determined to secure all of our territory effectively. We are doing our best and our troops are now operating in the Sambisa Forest,’’ President Buhari told the minister.
In his remarks, the minister assured President Buhari that France would continue to assist Nigeria to overcome Boko Haram insurgency.
According to him, all terrorists must be seen as common enemies of the free world.