Africa’s army chiefs should develop and adopt a united approach to confront various emerging ecurity threats on the continent.

According to Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, a united approach has became imperative as global security threats have continued to be volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

Olonisakin made the call while declaring open the 6th African Land Forces Summit sponsored by the United States Army Africa.

The summit with the theme, “Unity in Strength: Combating Africa’s Security challenges, ’’ is being attended by Chiefs of Army Staff from no fewer than 30 African countries and some top military chiefs from the United States and Europe.

“Terrorism, human trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons as well as piracy have continued to pose security challenges to our individual and collective countries.

“Tackling security challenges such as those highlighted above require a comprehensive decision and united approach by all stakeholders.

“Therefore, there is a need for sincere and active collaboration between all stakeholders to strangulate all sources of funding and weapons that pose security challenges at national, regional or continental level.

“This collaboration can only be possible if we forge lasting friendship that will accommodate common interest and aspiration to safeguard African,’’ Olonisakin said.

He stressed the need to acquire fighting capacity through training, intelligence sharing and acquisition of equipment among the various armies

“I, therefore, encourage more collaboration among African countries in terms of joint training, exchange programme, exercises and intelligence sharing,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, had expressed confidence that the summit would provide the continent’s army chiefs with new ideas and ways to tackle the numerous challenges bordering on security and military professionalism.

“Terrorism, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, piracy and human trafficking remain the major security challenges facing the African continent.

“Activities of violent organisations such as the Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Asarudeen and Al ka’ida in the Maghreb have continued to keep our security forces busy and committed to ensuring safety of lives and property,’’ he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the military chiefs to bring their wealth of experience to bear in proffering solution to security challenges confronting Africa.

Buratai reaffirmed the Nigerian army’s commitment to taking lead roles in Africa toward ensuring peace, security and sustainable development.

He also expressed the hope that the summit would provide opportunity to share experiences on global terrorism and to forge common approach in combating transnational threats, crimes, violent extremism and terrorism.