Libya fuels insecurity in Nigeria, Sahel region, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari declared, on Thursday, that as long as Libya continues to be insecure, illegal arms and ammunition will keep on circulating in the Sahel region of Africa.

President Buhari and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas on Libya

Buhari disclosed this at the State House, Abuja, during the farewell, in welcoming Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

Chambas is the outgoing United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

President Buhari and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas on Libya

Buhari stated that Muammar Gadaffi ruled Libya for 42 years by employing armed guards from various nations, who then absconded with their arms when the Libyan strongman was killed.

The President said, “They didn’t learn any other skill, than to shoot and kill. So, they are a problem all over the Sahel countries today.

“We closed our land borders here for more than a year, but arms and ammunition continued to flow illegally. As far as Libya remains unstable, so will the problem remain.

“We have to cope with the problems of development, as we can’t play hop, step and jump. But we will eventually overcome those problems.”

President Buhari portrayed Chambas, who spent several years in Nigeria in various capabilities, from ECOWAS to UN, as “more of a Nigerian than anything else.”

President Buhari, wishing Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas well in his future endeavours

He wished the outgoing Special Representative well in his forthcoming accomplishments.

Chambas expressed gratitude towards the President for support he got from him, and from Nigeria as a nation.

He stated that Nigeria would keep on playing a leadership role in the region.

Chambas disclosed that Nigeria is playing the role of yeoman, to fight terrorists and violent extremists in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin region.

He commended the support of Nigeria for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) established in Ndjamena Chad.