Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government has now openly expressed its dissatisfaction with the American government decision, arguing that the Americans were letting Nigeria down at her hour of need, Empowered Newswire reports.
Speaking Monday while receiving a delegation of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye said both the Nigerian people and the government feel abandoned by America.
According to Mr. Adefuye “I am sad to inform you that the Nigerian leadership: military and political, and even the general populace, are not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists.”
Continuing, the Nigerian envoy stated that “we find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly”.
Reviewing the situation further, Mr. Adefuye said that at first, Nigeria had problems with the manner in which intelligence was being shared, adding that even though the U.S. Government claims that the problem has been addressed, “it is still there”.
Categorically, Mr. Adefuye stated that “the U.S. Government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.”
Indeed the US government had equally explained that it would not be selling military weapons to Nigeria due to human rights allegations against the Nigerian military.
But Mr. Adefuye, in his meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed such allegations.
Mr. Adefuye noted that Nigeria and the United States have had a long standing and healthy relationship reinforced by existing economic and geo-political realities. However he said in recent times “Nigeria has had reasons to complain about the style, nature and manner with which some United States’ policies are implemented with particular reference to terrorism in Nigeria.“
He said the United States was the first to respond to Nigeria’s call for support in its battle against terrorists and has remained a major pillar of support in the struggle against the terrorists.
But he said it is a sad commentary that right now inspite of the U.S. presence and help in Nigeria Boko Haram is becoming more deadly.
Alleging that the US might have been reacting upon claims from the opposition media with sympathy for opposition parties, Adefuye insisted that the allegations could not be substantiated as many of the allegations were meant to “embarrass the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.”
Professor Adefuye further emphasised that allegations of human rights violation are based on rumours, hearsays and exaggerated accounts of clashes between the Nigerian forces and Boko Haram fighters.
He cited an example of an incident that happened in Baga in 2013, when human rights groups and the opposition press reported that based on pictures taken from satellite, over 1600 houses were destroyed in a village that has less than 600 houses.
Besides, Mr. Adefuye stated regarding the video reports of human rights violations involving attacks on women and children purported to have been carried out by Nigerian soldiers in Boko Haram affected areas that those activities were carried out by Boko Haram members wearing stolen Nigerian army uniforms.
He explained that disguise and subterfuge are standard practices of insurgent groups; and that the Chibok abduction of our school girls by Boko Haram succeeded because the girls thought that they were being carried to safety by soldiers of the Nigerian army.
The Nigerian Ambassador said opinions on human rights violations by Nigerian defence forces are biased and are not subjected to the necessary verification.
He went on to say that the Boko Haram issue is becoming heavily politicized especially with the approach of the general elections in 2015. Opposition media, he said, provide half-truths, exaggerated accounts which are then aired by the foreign media, forming the basis of reports sent to the capitals of Western nations.
He, therefore, implored the embassies of western nations based in Nigeria to check and re-check their facts, and not use half-truths and rumours as the basis of their reports and recommendations to their capitals.
He argued that the alleged violations are unfortunately the basis of U.S.’ refusal to sell necessary lethal equipment to Nigeria in order to fight Boko Haram.
The Nigerian ambassador then implored the Council on Foreign Affairs to put pressure on the US State Department and the US Department of Defence to re-examine the basis of their refusal to sell equipment to Nigeria, insisting that Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s corporate existence and territorial integrity.
“A stable and secure Nigeria is an invaluable asset to America,” Mr. Adefuye said.
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Mr ambassador, why do we so depend on these so called nation who are bent on hand twisting us to accept homosexuality as a condition for any favour? Were we not the one that told them that we don't need their aids? They denied us Ebola drugs and God disgraced them by intervening, haven't we learn enough? Are they the only country that manufacture guns and other military hardware ? Where is Russia? We don't need US. As far as I am concerned, the US govt is devils advocate. They predicted our disintegration by 2015, they will do everything by subtly to see it happen, but God will never allow it to happen on their terms and predictions. We must rise and defend our territory against any form of incursions. China can help us, India will lend a hand, above all God is more than sufficient.
ReplyDeletegood question
Deletegood thinking
Deletegood thinking
DeleteYou never hala
ReplyDeleteMr. Ambassador, you are wrong to say that the generality of Nigerians are not happy with the US, it's only you, the thieving and lying poloticians with your corrupt fat-stomach military generals that are not happy with the US. You in government make huge annual budgets on defence which is never used for what it was budgeted for, rather pocketing such money. Why haven't our military been modernised all these while? America had predicted the fall of Nigeria in 2015, can't you reason? Yet you still expect them to help you and fault their predictions? If you politicians are honest and sincere, thus war would have been over ever since!!! Look elsewhere for weapons and assistance and be honest about the deal - not with the intentions of enriching your pockets. Shameless leaders we have!!
ReplyDeleteYany,go and get your facts right. The presently in use today by our military are those procured in the Shagari's tenure,that's why they're obsolete. Have asked why Buhari,IBB,Abacha and OBJ did not equip the army during their own time? These are the so-called Generals. Now all of you can open your mouths to say all this rubbish about the present government that America and other developed nations have refused to sell arms to. Go and check the weapons being used by the BH,that should tell you that their sponsors are no small people,not even the Nigerian government as some of you foolishly think.
DeleteThe ambassador is not a politician but a career diplomat. These terrorists are using sophisticated American arms some of which were stolen from Libya's armoury after Gaddafi was disposed. Getting arms from China that are inferior won't help. At the same time America is blocking countries like Israel from selling arms to us.
DeleteFuck american we dont need them, Russia or china go help us abeg
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe guy in the White House is aiding the Muslims all over the world. Why can't you see that Mr Adefuye? It's not only Nigeria that America wants to be conquered by the Islamists, America also wants Israel to be overridden by Islam, America is arming and aiding the Islamists in Libya and Iraq. Stop this crying and wake up.
ReplyDeleteThat is why we have to get them from South Africa even if we do so illegally. These countries don't have our progress at heart.
ReplyDeleteUS President. Obama should support Nigeria irrespective of their demand or offense they feel Nigeria have committed. Majority of American have benefitted from this country till date. Terrorism is a global issue and must be supported by all without discriminating any Country or continent that are affected. Weapons/ammunitions should be purchased from Russia, china or a even Iran to solve our problem - God on our side. Lets forget about Americans had disappointed us during Ebola incident and thought that will destroy us but God said No. , Now Obama has refuse to sell arms to fight Boko Haran . Well conclusively Obama has not done any thing good in his two term to support African continent -his origin.
ReplyDeleteDear Ambassador. I expect you to preach self help within the government you are part of. Why are you seeking help from an alleged hinderer of your war? For our politicians i say Keep blaming others while stealing money meant to develope our defencw industries.
ReplyDeleteThose of you saying Russia, China and India will help Nigeria, have you ever seen these countries participating in external military issues that do not directly related to them? No they dont because their foreign policies do not allow them to be actively involved in military engagement that does not affect them directly.Even though they are super powers nation but do not expect them to come to our rescue. Check out for the foreign policies of Russia, China, India, Japan and Germany and you will see that their constitutions or policies do not allow them to get involved in military issues that do not concern them directly
ReplyDeleteYea you got it Russia and China and while there at it they can show how to torture and murder even more efficiently. You guys can roast all the homosexuals then with your new best mates. Good bedfellows. Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.
ReplyDeleteGod is our battle axe even when it seems all hope is lost.
ReplyDeleteAdefuye, you talk as if Nigeria is a state in the US. What have you achieved with the weapons we have other than take them out of the armory and abandon them to few numbers of invading and daring BH members. See the number of boko haram that made 3 Generals run out of their community in Adamawa. 4 BH on bike. Obviously US I guess know more than u think we know that is why they are giving you BIG FOOL the cold shoulders. Sum must not call u a fool b4 u knw what he means if you are sensible.
ReplyDeleteYou guys in Govt are real mugus. Is it not the same America the man without shoe wants to go and declare? Sometimes I feel the shoe in that context means BRAINS. He went to school without brains. That’s it. everything is by share Coincidence. Depty Govrn to Govrn, Vice president to president.
ReplyDeleteAmerica will never help us, they are the major sponsor of BH after Buhari , Atiku and some emir let use china weapon just that we need to get plenty because it will never be durable .
ReplyDeleteNE, , please remove this comment
DeleteNE, , please remove this comment
DeleteStop blaming America for your woes and incompetence. America is not selling to you because of 2015 elections, the weapons will end up with the niger delta militants. There is something they know that we dont know, yet our politicians still steal to buy properties in the US. Were have you been buying weapons before now? Yet you budget billions yearly for security. Yeye dey smell.
ReplyDelete