The greatest challenge facing the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari is the growing activities of Boko Haram. The terror group has killed more than 500 between the twilight of the past administration to date. That is why analysts believe that the visit of President Buhari to US at this time may be beneficial to the country in the quest for solutions to Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin and Maj.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai
An expert on International Affairs, Dr. Dapo Thomas, has described the visit as historical and would be of immense benefit to the country, especially in the fight against Boko Haram. Thomas made the disclosure on Friday while speaking on a monitored programme with a Lagos based television station, Channel Television. He stated that the country has a lot to benefit from America’s long years of involvement in the fight against terrorism. “Being the country that has been on the fight for some time, Nigeria has a lot to learn in the area of intelligence gathering”. Thomas believe that the US which has fought terrorism in the Middle-East has enough experience to help the country on better ways to combat the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
Thomas, who defended President Buhari on the claim that he only chose APC governors to accompany him on the visit, stated that the visit, which is similar to t
he one made to G-7 leaders in June, would focus on how best to fight insurgency in the North-East. President Buhari while speaking to US Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, in Abuja, stated that his visit to Obama would be beneficial to the country, especially in finding solutions to the fight against Boko Haram.
Some analysts traced the renewed attacks by Boko Haram to the commitment of Buhari to fight insecurity in the country. During presidential campaigns, Buhari had promised to end the insurgency in the north and create a favourable environment for the growth of the economy. The new regimes believe that a stable economy would ensure the realization of its goal of providing jobs to unemployed youths in the country.
Thomas stated further that the excitement over the visit may be because it is a new President under a new government and the Obama government who has a dossier of the past administration may be interested in having a new relationship, judging by Buhari’s antecedents.
Buhari met with Obama and other political figures at the G7 summit in Germany earlier in June, where the topic of Boko Haram was raised. Reuters reports that US officials have also announced that the country was prepared to send more military trainers to Nigeria. The new government is not oblivious of the damaging effect of insecurity to the economic revival of the country and has decided to take the fight against insurgency as a priority. During the meeting of Buhari with G-7 leaders in June, the issue of Boko Haram insurgency featured prominently in the discussion with the leaders. At that meeting, the group promised to assist Buhari’s government in his determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
Realizing the threat posed by the Boko Haram insurgency and the commitment of President Buhari to fight the group, G-7 leaders decided to offer assistance to the new government. The G-7 leaders, of which Obama is one, also arrived at the decision to come to Nigeria’s rescue judging by growing activities of the group which has gone beyond the country and has become a regional challenge. Buhari’s visit to Obama this time around would consolidate the earlier visit to the G-7. Since Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, investigation revealed that Washington has committed about $5 million in new support for a multi-national task force set up to fight the group. This is in addition to at least $34 million it is providing to Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger for equipment and logistics. According to US official, Buhari’s move on July 13 to fire military chiefs appointed by Jonathan clears the way for more military cooperation.
The growing cases of Boko Haram have become worrisome to Nigerians. In the last few days, several public places, including Mosques, Churches, and market places have been bombed by members of the terror group. Last Friday, when adherents of the Islamic religion, were preparing to go to their praying ground, a significant symbol to climax the end of 30 days fasting, members of the group detonated twin bombs that killed over 50 people in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement, on Friday, that 43 persons died in the first explosion which occurred at 7.40am and seven others in the second explosion. Several other people were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries from the two explosions. Similar attacks on the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Damaturu , Yobe State, on July 5, left about six persons, including the pastor of the church dead. Many worshippers at ECWA Church, Jos, escaped from the bombs planted by members of the group by divine providence.
Though insurgency many not be the only issue that would dominate discussion between President Obama and Buhari, but judging by what the country has suffered in the past six years as a result of Boko Haram attacks, critics have observed that it is foolhardy for anybody to think the country can attract foreign investment without dislodging the group.
Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin and Maj.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai
An expert on International Affairs, Dr. Dapo Thomas, has described the visit as historical and would be of immense benefit to the country, especially in the fight against Boko Haram. Thomas made the disclosure on Friday while speaking on a monitored programme with a Lagos based television station, Channel Television. He stated that the country has a lot to benefit from America’s long years of involvement in the fight against terrorism. “Being the country that has been on the fight for some time, Nigeria has a lot to learn in the area of intelligence gathering”. Thomas believe that the US which has fought terrorism in the Middle-East has enough experience to help the country on better ways to combat the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
Thomas, who defended President Buhari on the claim that he only chose APC governors to accompany him on the visit, stated that the visit, which is similar to t
he one made to G-7 leaders in June, would focus on how best to fight insurgency in the North-East. President Buhari while speaking to US Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, in Abuja, stated that his visit to Obama would be beneficial to the country, especially in finding solutions to the fight against Boko Haram.
Some analysts traced the renewed attacks by Boko Haram to the commitment of Buhari to fight insecurity in the country. During presidential campaigns, Buhari had promised to end the insurgency in the north and create a favourable environment for the growth of the economy. The new regimes believe that a stable economy would ensure the realization of its goal of providing jobs to unemployed youths in the country.
Thomas stated further that the excitement over the visit may be because it is a new President under a new government and the Obama government who has a dossier of the past administration may be interested in having a new relationship, judging by Buhari’s antecedents.
Buhari met with Obama and other political figures at the G7 summit in Germany earlier in June, where the topic of Boko Haram was raised. Reuters reports that US officials have also announced that the country was prepared to send more military trainers to Nigeria. The new government is not oblivious of the damaging effect of insecurity to the economic revival of the country and has decided to take the fight against insurgency as a priority. During the meeting of Buhari with G-7 leaders in June, the issue of Boko Haram insurgency featured prominently in the discussion with the leaders. At that meeting, the group promised to assist Buhari’s government in his determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
Realizing the threat posed by the Boko Haram insurgency and the commitment of President Buhari to fight the group, G-7 leaders decided to offer assistance to the new government. The G-7 leaders, of which Obama is one, also arrived at the decision to come to Nigeria’s rescue judging by growing activities of the group which has gone beyond the country and has become a regional challenge. Buhari’s visit to Obama this time around would consolidate the earlier visit to the G-7. Since Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, investigation revealed that Washington has committed about $5 million in new support for a multi-national task force set up to fight the group. This is in addition to at least $34 million it is providing to Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger for equipment and logistics. According to US official, Buhari’s move on July 13 to fire military chiefs appointed by Jonathan clears the way for more military cooperation.
The growing cases of Boko Haram have become worrisome to Nigerians. In the last few days, several public places, including Mosques, Churches, and market places have been bombed by members of the terror group. Last Friday, when adherents of the Islamic religion, were preparing to go to their praying ground, a significant symbol to climax the end of 30 days fasting, members of the group detonated twin bombs that killed over 50 people in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement, on Friday, that 43 persons died in the first explosion which occurred at 7.40am and seven others in the second explosion. Several other people were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries from the two explosions. Similar attacks on the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Damaturu , Yobe State, on July 5, left about six persons, including the pastor of the church dead. Many worshippers at ECWA Church, Jos, escaped from the bombs planted by members of the group by divine providence.
Though insurgency many not be the only issue that would dominate discussion between President Obama and Buhari, but judging by what the country has suffered in the past six years as a result of Boko Haram attacks, critics have observed that it is foolhardy for anybody to think the country can attract foreign investment without dislodging the group.
No comments:
Post a Comment