The United States Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield,
lamented that Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East and had shown
that it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and
elsewhere.
Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with Federal Government
officials on Thursday, added that Washington was troubled by the
“apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram.
She said the US was preparing to launch a “major” border
security programme to help Nigeria and its neighbours combat the increasing
number and scope of attacks by the insurgents.
But she was quick to remind the Nigerian authorities that “we are past
time for denial and pride.”
She said, “Since we last met in August 2013, the frequency and scope of
Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown more acute and constitute a serious
threat to this country’s overall security.
“Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-East,
but in Kano, in Abuja, and elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent
capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which
would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population.
“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for
denial and pride.’’
The outlawed Islamist sect has killed thousands
of people since 2009 and has in recent weeks overrun and held swathes of
territory in the North-East.
On Monday, the militants launched an attack on Bama, a town 78
kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Although the military denied that Bama had been overrun, the Senator
representing Borno Central in the National Assembly,Ahmed Zannah, insisted on
Wednesday that the town was in control of the insurgents.
Thomas-Greenfield, who leads Washington’s African Affairs team, told the
meeting that the upsurge in violence “constitutes a serious threat”
to Nigeria.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s claim that the captured town of
Gwoza was now a part of an Islamic caliphate “only adds to the
perception that the security situation is steadily worsening,” she added.
Noting that a convoy of Cameroonian soldiers are deployed as part of a
military reinforcement against the sect, Thomas-Greenfield added,
“All of these developments are deeply disturbing and increasingly dangerous
with each passing day.”
Before the “apparent capture of Bama”, the militants seized
Gamboru-Ngala, Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Madagali in Adamawa.
Reports also had it on Thursday that the insurgents took over Bara and
Gulani also in Yobe State.
Late last month, about 480 Nigerian soldiers abandoned their
posts and fled to Cameroon during a gunfight with the militants but the Defence
Headquarters described their action as “tactical manoeuvres.”
Thomas-Greenfield said the stakes were high after experts warned that
the Federal Government risked losing control of the North-East and the violence
could spread across borders.
“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly,
Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option,”
she added.
The diplomat said, “Cameroon’s military is increasingly forced to fight
Boko Haram within its borders and they flee back into Nigeria without fear. The
Chibok schoolgirls and others remain hostages, enduring horrible and tragic
suffering.
“Abubakar Shekau’s bold announcement that Boko Haram is now governing a
‘caliphate’ only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily
worsening.’’
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Politics
The military , keep deceiving the ordinary Nigerian. May God help us
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