President Muhammadu Buhari has called on West African countries to team up to fight what he describes as “common enemies” in the region.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the President made the call on Friday when he received the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, in Katsina.

The meeting of both presidents which lasted for about an hour was held behind closed doors at the presidential lodge, Katsina State.

Buhari emphasized that terrorism now transcends international boundaries, and no country can combat the scourge alone.

“We need to team up to fight common enemies. Terrorists in whatever form are enemies of humanity and no effort must be spared to protect our people. I will always support anything that is meant to enhance security in our region,” he said.

President Gnassingbe, on the other hand, said issues of insecurity are not peculiar to Nigeria alone but are common to a number of countries, including his country.

“It is not a religious or ethnic problem and must not be misconceived as such. We will discuss the matter, and try to find a solution,” President Gnassingbe said.

The Togolose President also condoled with President Buhari on the fire disaster caused by a fallen petrol tanker in Lagos on Thursday.

Furthermore, he thanked his host for his help in calming the political situation in Togo, adding that he was happy to be in Katsina, the homestead of President Buhari.

After the meeting, Gnassingbe told journalists that he was there to brief the President Buhari on the situation in the region of Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Togo respectively.

He said the meeting was also aimed at informing and inviting the president to a scheduled meeting between the central African countries and West African countries and the upcoming ECOWAS Summit scheduled to hold on July 21, 2018.