Boko Haram: US Vows Not To Impose ‘Targeted Scrutiny’ On Nigerians

The United States has avowed that no targeted scrutiny of Nigerians travelling to the United States would be imposed following the recent designation of the Boko Haram sect as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.

US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who led a US delegation to Nigeria, disclosed it during a news conference in Abuja yesterday that Nigerians who have no connection to the terrorist sect have nothing to fear because the US has no plans to implement such specific policy against Nigerians. 

He stressed that designating Boko Haram as a terrorist organization gives additional tools with which the US government can address issues associated with Boko Haram particularly in the area of terrorist financing.

“I do not believe that designating Boko haram will imply in any way more scrutiny of Nigerians travelling to the US. Nigerians who are not connected with the Boko Haram have no reason to be concerned about this,” she said.

She noted that the delegation is in Nigeria to have bilateral discussions with the government of Nigeria which is a follow up to the September meeting between President Obama and President Jonathan that took place on the margins of the United Nations.

“Together with our colleagues from the White House , from the Department Defence,  AFRICOM , USAID, we represent the three- pillar alliance   that work with Nigeria in the areas of  defence ,diplomacy  and development and we are here  to exploit further ways to increase the  level of intensity  of our engagement with the with Nigerian government particularly as the government deals with the insecurity situation as a result of the activities of the Boko Haram,” she said.

She extended condolences for the terrible events that took place in Maiduguri on Monday adding the US will continue to assist Nigeria to implement a comprehensive approach to tackle the situation in the north east of Nigeria.

In the same vein the Commander of the US Africa Command AFRICOM, General David Rodriquez noted that the visit presents an opportunity to discuss present and future cooperation between the US and Nigeria for mutual security concerns. “Terrorism, as you know is a worldwide challenge and we are here to work with the Nigerian partners to address that challenge.

He added that the strategic relationship the US has with Nigeria is one of the most   important in Africa. “Nigeria has been a great partner of US AFRICOM; we seek more effective ways to help Africans to tackle security. As you know Nigeria has provided security for the UN, AU missions in Darfur, Liberia and elsewhere, demonstrating their willingness to support find solution to Africa’s security problems’” he said.

He however noted that the US has no plans yet to deploy troops to Nigeria but to assist Nigeria develop a comprehensive approach to counter extremist organization through skills and capacity building, intelligence sharing, training in public affairs, communications and the military.

On the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, the delegation noted that the US is supporting cooperation for the national election and want to ensure that Nigeria has free, fair and credible elections that will reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

 In the same vein, the US will work with the INEC and civil society organizations to ensure a positive outcome for Nigeria.

Source: Leadership