The United States hit back Wednesday at allegations by the Nigerian
ambassador of failing to help fight Boko Haram militants, saying there had
been “a great deal” of US aid to his country.
In the past six months since the Islamic militants snatched some 200
schoolgirls in northern Nigeria, Washington has shared intelligence with
the Nigerian army, begun training a new battalion and held high-level
talks on the threat of Boko Haram, a US official said.
In a speech made public Tuesday, ambassador Adebowale Adefuye appeared to
have taken US officials by surprise when he launched into a tirade against
the US administration.
Nigerian leaders were “not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of
the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists,” he
said.
He accused Washington of not providing the “lethal” weapons needed to
deliver “a killer punch” to the militants.
But State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki shot back that the US had
“provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces.”
“These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure
they conform with United States law.”
But she acknowledged the US had refused to transfer some Cobra helicopters
due to concerns about the Nigerian army’s ability to use them.
There were also “ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection
of civilians when conducting military operations,” Psaki said, adding
these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.
Adefuye told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that
allegations of human rights abuses by the military were “rumors, hearsays
and exaggerated accounts” put about by rivals of President Goodluck
Jonathan and rights groups.
But Psaki stressed the US would not raise such concerns “if we didn’t feel
and others didn’t feel that they were warranted.”
Washington was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness
of its military, Psaki added, urging the government to investigate
allegations of abuses.