Security, Boko Haram Threats Top Discussion At Presidents Buhari, Biya’s Closed-door Meeting
The two leaders are expected to discuss issue of bilateral relations between the two countries, among other issues
The meeting which started around 2:06 p.m is still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
Buhari had arrived the VIP wing of the Yaounde International Airport at 10:50 a.m for 2-days friendly and working visit. He was received by President Biya.
Right from the airport to his hotel room, which is about 25 minutes, Cameroonians and Nigerians throng out and doted the road dancing and waving to President Buhari.
They were not allowed to spill to the road by armed security personnel that doted the two sides of the road.
Shops, doors and gates to buildings by the roadside were also shut.
Snipers were strategically positioned on top of high buildings by the roadside.
While Nigeria and Cameroon flags were hung on the two sides of the road at intermittent intervals, there were also banners with various messages on the strong ties between the two countries.
President Buhari is also scheduled to meet Nigerians residing in Cameroon around 6 p.m local time at the Hilton Hotel in Cameroon, which is the same time in Nigeria.
President Biya will host Buhari and members of his delegation including state governors at the State House around 8p.m.
There will also be joint press conference by the two leaders at the end of the visit on Thursday.
On the deployment of force to the Multinational Task Force taking off on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ismail Aliyu, speaking with journalists in Yaounde said: “You know this preparations have been on for a long time and most of this participating countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic making up Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon have all contributed their troops.
“Tomorrow being 30th of July is the last day for operationalization of the multinational task force. Also as you are aware, the commander of the task force has been made the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces. A new one has been appointed. But that does not stop the operation from taking off, hopefully by tomorrow the operation will kick off.
“As usual, we are also pleading to all of us, irrespective of which country, to give this task force a chance to operate and succeed.” He added
On the total number of Nigerian troops for the force, he said: “Nigeria is contributing about 3,200 to 3,500 to the 10,000 joint task force.”
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