President Buhari reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to Global Fight against Nuclear Terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Washington DC reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism and other forms of terrorism.

The President made this known in Nigeria’s country statement to the 4th Nuclear Security Summit hosted by U.S. President, Barack Obama.

A statement issued in Abuja by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the Nigerian leader also pledged continued support for all multilateral efforts aimed at promoting common approach and commitment to nuclear security at the highest levels.

He said “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts toward ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear weapons.

“Nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to international security and preventing nuclear terrorism and all forms of terrorism around the globe is of concern to all of us.

“To this end, Nigeria has strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act in 2013, ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country.”

President Buhari also told the gathering that Nigeria had reinforced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United States Department of State’s Partnership for Nuclear Security and the World Institute for Nuclear Security in order to enhance Nuclear Security.

“In addition, Nigeria has signed an agreement of cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Radiological Security to protect nuclear and other radiological materials from theft or sabotage,” he added.

According to him, Nigeria intends to strengthen its partnerships with relevant international organisations to promote capacity building, particularly in the development of Nigerian Nuclear Security Support Centre, Physical Security Upgrades and Human Reliability Programmes Implementation.

The President added that Nigeria had developed a programme to ensure that radioactive sources in the country were better secured to prevent unauthorised access by terrorists and criminals.

The President commended President Obama’s “pace setting initiative and drive”, which he said had brought the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism to its present level. (NAN)