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Nigeria deepens security ties with Egypt to battle Boko Haram

Some observers allege Turkey may be supporting extremist groups in Nigeria.
(From L to R) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari attend the Africa 2016 forum on February 20, 2016, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
More than 1,200 delegates including some heads of state will negotiate business agreements for the next two days at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, to attract private sector investments in Africa. / AFP / MOHAMED EL-SHAHED        (Photo credit should read MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Ge

Egypt is concentrating on strengthening its economic and security influence in Nigeria and consolidating relations with the ruling regime there. On Jan. 27, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a letter from his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, which included a formal request from Nigeria to cooperate with Egypt in security fields, especially combating terrorism by organizing training courses and exchanging technical expertise.

Buhari’s letter, delivered to Sisi by Nigerian Ambassador Joseph Kishi, dealt with ways to enhance Nigerian-Egyptian cooperation in the fields of the economy and trade, and how to benefit from Egypt's role in supporting Nigeria in infrastructure projects, particularly roads and power generation.

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