JUST IN: France pledges support for Nigeria to tackle security challenges

French president, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday, said he spoke with President Bola Ahmed and conveyed France’s solidarity over the country’s security challenges, especially the terrorist threat in the north.

Macron said France would strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities and increase support for affected populations at Tinubu’s request.

He also called on international partners to step up their engagement, saying no one should remain a spectator.

He wrote on X: “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

Nigeria has been battling terrorism and banditry for over a decade in major parts of the country, especially the northern regions.