Nigeria: Buhari seeks help from U.S. over rising insecurity

During a virtual meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, Buhari stressed the need for the U.S. to consider relocating its Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa, nearer the Theatre of Operation, while urging the international community to support Nigeria and the sub-region in tackling growing security challenges to avoid spillovers.

President Buhari said: “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central, and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.

“Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.

“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation,’’ he said.

The spate of attacks, which had been worsening in weeks, got to a frightening crescendo in the last 72 hours as a reign of terror descended in all the six geo-political zones of the country.

SENATORS yesterday expressed fears that the Boko Haram insurgents might overrun the nation’s capital, Abuja because of the attacks the deadly group had launched on neighbouring states. On Monday, governor of Niger State, Sani Bello, revealed that Boko Haram terrorists had taken over about 50 communities in the state, adding that the terrorist group is just some two hours away from Abuja. His counterpart in Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule, had also lodged similar complaint of Boko Haram cell in the state.