Terrorism: US urged to increase support for Nigeria

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Disturbed by the seeming lackadaisical attitudes of some foreign allies in the war on terror, the United States of America has been urged to provide more concrete support to Nigeria’s war against terrorism beyond the current ambivalence and grandstanding.
The National Coordinator, Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA), Mr Chidi Omeje made the call during a media interaction hosted by I-Nigerian Initiative in Abuja.
The civil society group, which engages in creating and spreading security awareness among Nigerians, wondered why the acclaimed global linchpin in the fight against terrorism is foot-dragging in assisting Nigeria in the face of deteriorating insecurity orchestrated by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Omeje said: “This is not time for playing hide and seek… It is period for actions, real actions against unnecessary excuses and blame-games.”
The group deplored the cold indifference of United States towards Nigeria in her time of need noting that now is the time for the true friends and allies of Nigeria to declare their stand.
“For almost two years, US Government refused to label Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) even with glaring evidences of major atrocities displayed by the group against unarmed citizens.
“Following the abduction of Chibok school girls, the US and its allies announced that they were sending military help but up till now, the less than 20 personnel sent by the US have continued to stay in the cosy offices of American Embassy in Abuja while data gathered by the country’s mission in Chad through reconnaissance over North East Nigeria has never been shared with Nigeria.”
In order to assuage the feelings of Nigerians who feel betrayed by the actions and inactions of the United States and its allies, the group called on President Barack Obama to expeditiously approve a robust support programme for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
“As Africans, we cherish the neighbour who comes to our aid in our time of distress but we consider it ‘salt upon injury’ the antics of a ’friend’ who denigrate us all in the name of assisting us”, it concluded.