Under Buhari, Nigeria has taken the fight to Boko Haram – Kerry

John Kerry, United States Secretary of State has said that Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the fight against terrorism to Boko Haram.

Kerry’s comments come ahead of a meeting with Buhari on Thursday on the sidelines of a two-day nuclear security summit in Washington involving leaders from more than 50 countries.

“Under President Buhari, Nigeria has been taking the fight to Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s capacity to launch full-scale attacks,” Kerry said, “however, the group still remains a threat, a serious threat, to the entire region,” Kerry said.

He noted that in recent months US military trainers were helping Nigeria’s security forces improve information sharing tactics, and train and equip two infantry battalions.

“Now, I want to be clear, this aid is predicated on the understanding that, even when countering a group as ruthless as Boko Haram, security forces have a duty to set the standard with respect to human rights,” he cautioned, adding: “One abuse does not excuse another.”

US cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had virtually ground to a halt because of his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.