US Again To Join Nigeria In Anti-Boko Haram Campaign

The US is to join Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, a senior American diplomat disclosed yesterday.

President Barack Obama is to send a team to Nigeria in the nearest future for the two leaders to discuss cooperation renewal, The Nation reports.

It should be noted that the US authorities and Goodluck Jonathan-led government had been  in tense relationship, with problems having started last year.

The counter-terrorism operations were marked by mutual accusations.

The US administration posed serious allegations regarding corruption and human rights abuses within the military in its anti-Boko Haram campaign.

However, after Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration, also attended by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, the situation is expected to change.

US diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield disclosed:

With the new government, we are optimistic we can reset the relationship. We want to work with him and have expressed that to him.”

The official recalled that President Buhari had vowed “do everything possible to address the situation in terms of resources and staff” in order to enable effective battle.

Thomas-Greenfield said that the American side was encouraged that Buhari’s first trips were to Niger and Chad, the closest allies of Nigeria and member of Multi-National Task Force, headed by newly appointed commander, Major-General Tukur Buratai.

The yesterday’s meeting between the Chadian president, Idriss Deby, and his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, in N’Djamena was followed by a communiqué. The two leaders agreed on cooperation enhancement and called for more international support.

Blasts in Maiduguri and Yola

While President Buhari was abroad to consider the most effective ways of tackling Boko Haram, two separate attacks were launched in Borno state and Adamawa state capitals.

According to the recent update, Maiduguri blast at a military checkpoint killed eight soldiers. In Yola, 19 people reportedly died following the explosion in front of the market.

Both attacks were said to have been carried out by female suicide bombers.

Yola resident Salihu Aliyu told Premium Times:

“We just finished observing the Maghrib prayer when we heard a loud blast in the direction of the market… You know many traders also come out of the market and display their wares outside the main market to also observe the night market. There was even traffic gridlock in the area with many Keke Napep operators jostling for passengers when the bomb exploded.”

The official figures on casualties are yet to be provided.