Come together to fight terrorist attacks - African leaders told

African leaders have been advised to come together to form a strategic plan of defence to fight terrorist attacks.

Islamist groups are said to be targeting West African countries due to recent attacks on Burkina Faso where gunmen numbering between 20 and 30 reportedly burned down a church in Dablo in Northern Burkina Faso after six people were killed including the priest as mass was being celebrated.

The attackers who are suspected to be islamist groups then burned down other buildings and looted a health center.

Meanwhile a security analyst, Brigadier General (Dr.) Emmanuel Kotia, a ddfence and security expert has called on African leaders to join hands and plan a longterm strategic defence plan to fight terrorism and prevent anymore attacks from extremist groups.

"I advise African leaders to set themselves up to meet and plan strategically how they can fight terrorist attacks and prevent further deaths and damage" He said.

Speaking with Boamah Darko on the 'Maakye' show on Hot FM, Brigadier General (Dr.) Emmanuel Kotia, indicated that it was about time the security agencies in the country be proactive and gather intelligence swiftly to prevent any kind of attack from terrorists by providing extensive training for the anti -terrorism unit.

"The Ghana Police Service and other security agencies must be proactive in gathering intelligence and also sensitisation must be extensive in the rural areas and the border towns as a way of alerting residents to be cautious of strange individuals who suddenly comes to settle in those areas" He added.

And as churches has become the main targets of these attacks, he also advised churches to be vigilante and train their security to be alert for any suspicious movements from strange individuals.