A top United States Defense Department official has said Nigeria’s response to the threat of Boko Haram emboldened the violent group.
She, however, assured that her country was committed to the release of more than 200 seized from Government Secondary School, Chibok, a month ago.
“In general, Nigeria has failed to mount an effective campaign against Boko Haram,” said Alice Friend, the Pentagon’s principal Director for African Affairs, in testimony provided to the Senate’s Africa subcommittee ahead of a hearing on Thursday.
“The Department has been deeply concerned for some time by how much the Government of Nigeria has struggled to keep pace with Boko Haram’s growing capabilities,” she said.
She added that, “more troubling” was that atrocities have been perpetrated by some security forces during operations against the group, which means U.S. human rights law would bar providing assistance to them.
She disclosed that 6 U.S. Department of Defense personnel with medical, intelligence, counter-terrorism and communications expertise have been assigned exclusively to the mission of advising Nigerian efforts to recover the girls safely.
“Our intent is to support Nigerian-led efforts to recover the girls and help catalyze greater efforts to secure the Nigerian population from the menace of Boko Haram,” Friend said.
The official also said the Pentagon and Department of State were developing a “regional response” to Boko Haram to improve border security along Nigeria’s frontiers with Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
The intention was to detect and respond to movement of Boko Haram members between Nigeria and its neighbours, she added.
On his part, Robert Jackson, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, said in his prepared testimony that Washington has been urging Nigeria to reform its approach to Boko Haram.
“When soldiers destroy towns, kill civilians and detain innocent people with impunity, mistrust takes root,” he said.
Writing is my passion and facts-proofing is my hobby, I have been writing at Gistmania for close to a decade now and It is one of the most exciting things I do. Outside writing, I love enjoying time with my loved ones - if you have any tip for me, please do get in touch
Posted: at 16-05-2014 12:32 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Topsylucas at 16-05-2014 12:49 PM (9 years ago) (f)
You people have spoken well. The main cause of BH's boldness is that we have selfish & greedy people in govnment who didn't nip the insurgence @ its bud when they started. Now its blown in2 something they cannot control. Power tussle is nigeria's problem caused by our useless power drunk politicians. President Jonathan being inclusive is so feeble, uncapable & unfit 2 rule his house not 2 mention a country like nigeria. He thought being a president means looting,stealing & getting drunk. Anyway,man's wisdom is foolishness 2 God who knows how 2 protect His own.
Posted: at 16-05-2014 12:49 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Yes we know all this.... stop putting blame on the government and work if u really wanna help in this. Really getting pissed off eryday the come up with belittling remarks about NIGERIA and her govt! Pls if this people ain't ready for action the should quickly leave and lets fight this insurgents ourselves.
Posted: at 16-05-2014 01:04 PM (9 years ago) | Newbie
It is because government benefits from Boko Haram insurgency as much as US benefited from Osama Bin Laden since from the very time they created and armed him to fight against the USSR invasion of Afghanistan. It is just history that is repeating itself.
IN ZAKA FADI, FADI GASKIYA, KOMAI TA JA MA A YI MAKA
Posted: at 16-05-2014 01:12 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
macdavies at 16-05-2014 01:28 PM (9 years ago) (m)
true but let's not Blame the president alone.but also member of the cabinet.if the president did not own up to his responsibilities.the senates nd governs also are the reasons to our downfall Nd insecurity. plz can sum1 tell me the price bhide this assistance we are getting from five foreign countries,over the fight against boko haram Nd terrorism in nigeria
Posted: at 16-05-2014 01:28 PM (9 years ago) | Newbie
Too many different people with different cultures, language and mindset make up Nigeria and up until today we DO NOT live as one.
We should have CELEBRATED our 100 year anniversary with an amicable split. There will never be peace between tbe different peoples of Nigeria.
Everyone is aggrieved. The Hausa's feel misjudged because everyone is associating them with Boko Haram and so they want a SOFTLY SOFTLY approach to the BH menace. The government and people want to go in at once and SHOOT TO KILL. But then tne gobernment REMEMBERS the elections coming up and so want to keep everyone on side - and in the end NOTHING US BEING DONE.
The Nigeria army are shooting at their OWN commandant for putting them in danger (eventhough I am sure when they signed up to join the army they were aware of their role) and so they are NO HELP!
And so the 270 or 300 (no one appears to know for definite how many - strange?) abducted girls remain as HOSTAGES.
Lets just put differences aside and get those young girls - CHILDREN - back home.
And YES the government was slow in dealing with Boko Haram. They thought the group were not essential to be taken notice of - now look where we are with a RAGTAG army who are more disorganised than drunken football hooligans high on cocaine!
Posted: at 16-05-2014 01:33 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
It is because government benefits from Boko Haram insurgency as much as US benefited from Osama Bin Laden since from the very time they created and armed him to fight against the USSR invasion of Afghanistan. It is just history that is repeating itself.
you re a BIG fool, what do u know female BH ur days re numbered
Posted: at 16-05-2014 02:09 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
spartanman at 16-05-2014 02:26 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Hw will government take it serious. Whereby they are the one that is sponsoring them. No matter the weapon they use, where did it come from? Through border I guess and who are those that is there to Check them? Its government workers. So the problem is from government. When army started fighting boko haram. Some pple were victim of that shooting. What happened? Pple started shouting that its violation of human right. What do u want GEJ to do wen he is working with those that is sponsoring boko haram. Hausa sorry
Posted: at 16-05-2014 02:26 PM (9 years ago) | Newbie
daveobahon at 16-05-2014 06:18 PM (9 years ago) (m)
I don tire 4 ds US pple wey jst dey blame blame cum u guyz nva still see d gals?shebi una wan help?close eyes help abeg n stop blaming una own don dey 2much sef
Posted: at 16-05-2014 06:18 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Topsylucas
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