France to boost support for Nigeria amid rising security challenges

14:40

By: Sahili Aya

France to boost support for Nigeria amid rising security challenges

France will step up its partnership with Nigeria in response to the country’s growing security challenges, particularly the threat posed by armed extremist groups in the northern regions, President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday on the social platform X. Macron stated that the increased cooperation comes “at the request” of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, with whom he had recently spoken.

“We will strengthen our partnership with Nigerian authorities and our support for affected populations,” Macron said, while calling on international partners to mobilize as well. He did not specify the exact nature of the measures France intends to take.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is facing intense pressure following a series of mass kidnappings that have occurred within a short period. More than 400 people, including many students, have been abducted in less than two weeks. Similar incidents have been reported in recent years, especially in the northwest and central regions, where armed groups target vulnerable communities, often to demand ransoms.

The recent escalation of violence prompted President Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency and request the recruitment of additional security personnel. The country, divided between a Muslim-majority north and a Christian-majority south, has long struggled with instability. In the northeast, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) have carried out years of attacks, causing tens of thousands of deaths and displacing millions, according to UN figures.