US blames Goodluck lack of political will and corruption for the rise of Boko Haram

WASHINGTON has attributed the rise of Boko Haram to the lack of political will on the part of former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan to confront the terrorist sect and the incessant corruption that characterised his regime.

 

Since 2009, Boko Haram has been waging a war of terror against Nigeria but during the Jonathan era, it dramatically escalated its activities, seizing 14 local government areas. Nigerian troops appeared powerless to stop the incessant rise of the terrorists as they were frequently outgunned by the better armed and motivated insurgents.

 

Speaking yesterday at the American University of Nigeria, during a visit to round off her visit to internally displaced persons camps in Adamawa State, Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the United Nations, blamed the Goodluck administration for the debacle. She added that corruption in the Jonathan-led administration denied Nigeria its support in the war against Boko Haram at the height of the insurgency.

 

According to Ambassador Power, the US government was monitoring the political will of Nigeria then to tackle the insurgency but was not convinced of the country’ seriousness due to the corrupt tendencies that were associated with the issue of those fighting the insurgency. She however noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had so far shown seriousness in tackling the scourge.

 

Ambassador Power added: “But when the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government came on board, the US recognised his full commitment to stop the insurgency and the anti-corruption crusade. So, the US has no alternative than to back the present administration.

 

“The US, as part of our new resolve and commitment is now training a battalion of soldiers that will soon return home to face the insurgents headlong. The battalion will be a high performing one equipped with the American terrorism combat and techniques on their return.”

 

She also disclosed that President Buhari had received the needed intelligence for the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and commended Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger under the auspices of the Lake Chad Commission for their collaborative effort in combating the Boko Haram insurgents. While announcing a donation of $40m to help Boko Haram victims, the envoy disclosed that although the US was investing in the security aspect of Nigeria, it was not involved in combating Boko Haram.

 

Furthermore, Ambassador Power called on the soldiers to protect liberated towns so as to allow returnees start a fresh life. Of late, the Nigerian military has enjoyed significant success in its fight with Boko Haram, recapturing almost all of the territory the terrorists previously held.