12th July, 2014
Nigeria and the United States are to strengthen strategies to tackle terrorism facing Nigeria and bring the activities of the militants to an end.
The new action plan was disclosed after a meeting between Senate President David Mark and America’s Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle in Abuja on Saturday 12 July.
A statement issued by Paul Mumeh, Chief Press Secretary to Mark, said the duo rued the loss of lives and the strain on economic and socio-political lives caused by activities of the sect.
Mark said Boko Haram was not only a threat to Nigeria but posed a great danger to human existence.
He said the threat was closer than was ever imagined adding that he believed that the extremists had wider networks and support outside Nigeria.
The senate president acknowledged the efforts of Nigeria’s security operatives but added that support and assistance from the international community was critical to end the activities of the insurgents.
“The United States of America is a strategic ally to us. We count on your support and military assistance always especially in this battle against the terrorists.”
He said that everything humanly possible was being done by the Federal Government to free hostages especially the girls of Chibok Secondary School in Borno held by the sect members.
Entwistle, on his part, pledged the continuous support and assistance of the US government to end terrorism in the country.
He, however, cautioned that in the war against insurgents, the security operatives should be mindful of human rights in order not to cause more damage in trying to solve the problem.