Boko Haram: Jonathan pleads for US assistance

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has outlined the various security challenges facing his country, especially Boko Haram and asked for the assistance of the United States of America.

Jonathan listed the security challenges, apart from Boko Haram, such as the problems of policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping. The latter problem manifested Sunday in the dare-devil kidnap of Professor Kamene Okonjo, mother of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Ogwashi-Ukwu on Sunday.

He spoke during the visit of General Carter Ham, Commander of the United States’ Africa Command, AFRICOM.

Jonathan commended the United States of America for its role in global peace and security.

‘We appreciate the commitment of the United States to assist in ensuring that the world is safe and secure,’ he stated.

President Jonathan also briefed Gen. Ham on his visit to Mali and the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, adding that the situation could still be contained if the right steps are taken quickly.

Earlier, Gen. Carter Ham, Commander of AFRICOM, had said he seized the opportunity to present a paper at the National Defence College to hold talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.

He said the USA was ready to cooperate with Nigeria in areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolving the conflict in Mali.

Gen. Ham commended Nigeria’s Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.