Unsatisfied with the support rendered by the United States Military in the
fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian Government has
abruptly terminated training of a Nigeria Army Battalion by the American
Security officials.
Government officials have roundly criticized the United States of
providing shoddy military support in the wake of the Boko Haram attacks in
three states in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Government attempts to purchase cobra helicopters were
blocked by the U.S citing inability of the Nigeria Army to use the weapons
and poor human rights record.
A statement signed from the U.S embassy announcing the termination of the
training contract said it regrets the termination of the program.
According to the statement, ”At the request of the Nigerian government,
the United States will discontinue its training of a Nigerian Army
battalion,” the US Embassy in Abuja said in a statement.
The first two phases of training were conducted between April and August
2014, and had provided previously untrained civilian personnel with basic
soldiering skills.
“Based on mutual assessment of the Nigerian Army and US trainers, a third
iteration of training was agreed upon with the intent of developing the
battalion into a unit with advanced infantry skills.
“We regret premature termination of this training, as it was to be the
first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units
with the goal of helping the Nigerian Army build capacity to counter Boko
Haram,” America said.
The US government said it will continue other aspects of the extensive
bilateral security relationship, as well as all other assistance
programmes with Nigeria.