Buhari signs joint policing agreement with Equatorial Guinea

– Nigeria and oil rich Equatorial Guinea have signed a joint policing agreement  
– Both nations will work together to enhance security and curb piracy piracy around their shores  
– The agreement was signed during President Buhari’s visit to the semi-island nation

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have signed an agreement on establishing a combined Maritime Policing and Security Patrol Committee. President Muhammadu Buhari’s special media and publicity assistant Garba Shehu said the agreement is expected to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and help to curb maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, sabotage and arms smuggling. According to a communiqué issued at the end of President Buhari’s visit to Equatorial Guinea, both countries also agreed to discuss greater cooperation on oil and gas production and a bilateral trade agreement. 

Buhari was well received by Equatorial Guinea's president Nguema Mbasogo

The Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea joint commission will be revived from its present state of dormancy and empowered to play its proper role in the strengthening of bilateral relations. Shehu said both Buhari and the president of Equatorial Guinea Obiang Nguema Mbasogo expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere of trust and solidarity that now exists between their countries. In their talks during the two-day visit, the two leaders further discussed sub-regional, regional and international issues including terrorism, violent extremism and the state of the global economy.

They also discussed the crises in some African countries and efforts by the African Union to achieve peace, stability and progress across the continent.