President Buhari arrives Aqaba to participate in counter-terrorism summit

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Aqaba, Jordan to participate in a summit of Heads of State to review strategies in fighting terrorism.
The summit, tagged: “Aqaba Retreat,” to be hosted by His Majesty, King Abdullah II of Jordan, would also look at ways at reinforcing joint security structures that would be more proactive in preventing attacks.
The President’s aircraft landed at the King Hussein International Airport, Aqaba at about 8.15pm local time.
The President was received at the Airport by Jordanian Government officials; the Minister of Defence, retired Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali; National Security Adviser to the President, retired Major General Babagana Monguno; and the acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Dauda.
Others at the airport to welcome the President included the Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Ambassador Haruna Ungogo; and other Nigerian embassy officials in Jordan.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that West African Heads of State, including the Presidents of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Togo, as well as the representatives of governments of 48 countries, will be attending the meeting.
A number of key Non-Governmental Organisations are also expected to participate in the meeting, slated for December 2 and 3.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had on November 29 in a statement issued in Abuja said President Buhari would share Nigeria’s experience on terrorism and its spread across West Africa during the meeting.
According to Adesina, this is with a view to soliciting more support for pre-emptive measures that will neutralise the activities of insurgents in the sub-region.
NAN also gathered that Buhari may also speak on the recently inaugurated Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.
The security document is believed to be tailored toward addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, while countering the dangerous ideologies that fuel terrorism.
President Buhari had earlier on August 24 signed a presidential directive for the implementation of the policy framework and national action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.
Those on the President’s entourage to Aqaba include the Governors of Kogi, Osun and Niger States.