Haram violence and territorial gains in Nigeria, warning that the
deteriorating situation threatened the African giant’s future.
“We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects
for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on
the civilian population,” US Assistant Secretary of State Linda
Thomas-Greenfield said on a visit to Abuja.
Boko Haram, which has been waging a violent insurgency that has claimed
thousands of lives since 2009, has in recent weeks overrun and held
swathes of territory in Nigeria’s far northeast.
On Monday, the militants reportedly took over Bama, 70 kilometres (45
miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, although the military
disputes the claims.
Thomas-Greenfield, who leads Washington’s African Affairs team, told
delegates at a bilateral meeting on regional security that the upsurge in
violence “constitutes a serious threat” to Nigeria.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s claim that the captured town of Gwoza,
also in Borno, was now part of an Islamic caliphate “only adds to the
perception that the security situation is steadily worsening”.
“All of these developments are deeply disturbing, and increasingly
dangerous with each passing day,” she added.
Before the capture of Bama, the militants seized Gamboru Ngala, Buni Yadi
in Yobe state and Madagali in Adamawa, with Nigerian troops seemingly
unable to match their firepower.
Hundreds of soldiers abandoned their posts, some crossing the border into
Cameroon, although the military said they had not fled but were conducting
“tactical manoeuvres” that crossed the frontier.
Thomas-Greenfield said the stakes were high after experts warned that the
government risked losing control of the northeast and the violence could
spread across borders.
“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly,
Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an
option,” she added.
The United States was one of a number of countries who sent intelligence
and surveillance specialists and equipment to Nigeria to help locate more
than 200 missing schoolgirls earlier this year.
Boko Haram kidnapped the girls from their school in April, triggering
global outrage.
Thomas-Greenfield said Washington would soon announce the launch of a
major border security programme which will include Nigeria and its
neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
AFP