President Ernest Bai-Koroma of Sierra Leone Friday paid a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, calling on African leaders to stand by Nigeria as it tackles the Boko Haram insurgency.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed door talks with President Jonathan, Mr. Bai-Koroma, insisted the menace of Boko Haram should be seen as an African challenge that must be tackled by all.
He condemned the activities of the insurgents, Boko Haram in strong terms, calling on his colleagues on the continent to rally round Nigeria so as to defeat the terrorists.
His words, “In moments like these, we believe we should come and express sympathy for the bombings that have been taking place in Nigeria and most recently the abduction of about 200 secondary school girls.
“We believe that this is not an issue for Nigeria alone. We must come in and identify ourselves with the problems that are ongoing here.
“We believe strongly that the position Nigeria is enjoying as the largest economy in Africa, and the fact that one out of every four Africans is a Nigerian, issues like these happening to Nigeria are issues that will affect the whole of Africa.
“And it is time for us to come together as Africans; it is time for us to come together as West Africans to work with Nigeria to address this menace that is occurring in Nigeria.”
President Bai – Koroma also commended the support being given to Nigeria at the level of ECOWAS.
He also recalled that Nigeria had been there for his country in the past, assuring that Sierra Leone would support Nigeria until the terrorists are defeated.
“We condemn strongly what is happening and we believe that Boko Haram should not continue with these atrocities.
“We welcome the support that is now coming on, now ECOWAS has just had a meeting and in that meeting a lot of collaborative efforts have been suggested. We look forward to the implementations of what has been suggested.
“But for now, we believe Nigeria deserves the support. For Sierra Leone, Nigeria was there yesterday when we had our difficulties.
“I believe whatever little we can do to identify ourselves, whatever efforts we can put in solving this problem, we are prepared, we are here to demonstrate the determination to work with Nigeria,” the Sierra Leonean leader said.
