A bill has been sent by a United States Congressman demanding President Barack Obama’s comprehensive plan to assist Nigeria to battle Boko Haram.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (Democrat-Fla.), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, last Monday, introduced legislation that would require the Departments of Defence and State to submit a five-year plan to Congress to help Nigeria fight the Islamic extremist group.
The plan, according to the lawmaker, would have to boost Nigeria’s military capacity, provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the group, and help strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria, among other things.
So far, the Obama administration has resisted any direct intervention in the fight against Boko Haram. A few dozen troops have been sent to Nigeria.
In October, the White House announced the deployment of 90 troops to Cameroon, and plans to send a total of about 300.
But the White House stressed they were not there in a “combat role,” and instead, to help regional partners combat Boko Haram.
U.S. troops have not been sent to Nigeria because of alleged dismal record on corruption and human rights.
But the Boko Haram group has continued to pillage and destroy in Nigeria. Over the weekend, 21 were killed at a religious site by bombs hidden there by the group.
The State Department condemned the attack in a statement yesterday.
Department of State Spokesperson, John Kirby said the October 23 and 24 attacks on mosques in Adamawa and Borno states were horrific and indiscriminate.
It decried the use of children as suicide bombers, adding that it was prove of the horrific measures Boko Haram was willing to take to terrorise civilians in northeast and the Lake Chad Basin region.
“We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of the many innocent civilians, who were killed and injured.
“The apparent use of children – particularly young girls – to commit these attacks is especially heinous, and it provides yet more examples of the horrific measures Boko Haram is willing to take to terrorise civilians in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.
“The United States continues to support the governments and people of the Lake Chad Basin region in their ongoing struggle to defeat Boko Haram. We will continue to assist these vital efforts in every appropriate way,” it stated.
The Nation
