US military chiefs arrive Nigeria over Boko Haram, security

Sun News

18 January 2012

US military chiefs arrive Nigeria over Boko Haram, security

As part of the Federal Government’s resolve to curtail Boko Haram terrorism and the security challenges in the country and the West African region, Nigeria has accepted a proposal from the United States to create a new focus on security as a different agenda under the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission. BNC, initiated just less than two years ago, Empowered Newswire reports

Under the new security focus, top military chiefs from the US would join the resumption of the BNC talks between the US and Nigeria starting next week in Abuja.

This disclosure was made yesterday by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof Adebowale Adefuye, during a meeting with US business investors and private sector executives under the platform of the influential Corporate Council on Africa, CCA, in Washington DC on recent developments in Nigeria, especially Boko Haram attacks and the fuel subsidy crisis

Said he: “the United States government has proposed that the Niger-Delta and regional security component of the commission be split into separate entities and the first meeting on regional security should hold immediately on 23 and 24 of January. We have agreed to this proposal.”

When Nigeria and the US signed the BNC agreement in April 6 2010, 4 areas of focus were agreed, including governance and transparency, Niger Delta-where security featured partly, energy reforms and agriculture. A 5th dimension now is security.

The Nigerian Ambassador added that, while Nigeria is open to international assistance on the issue of Boko Haram, because of its international dimension and the global condemnation of terrorism, “we are receiving adequate support and assistance from our international friends without compromising our independence and freedom of action.”