A delegation from the United States is
currently in Abuja to deliberate with the
Nigerian government on security issues,
including the allegiance of the Boko Haram
militants to the Islamic State.
On Saturday, Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko
Haram, announced the sect’s affiliation to ISIS,
which has large parts of Syria and Iraq under
its control.
Led by Stephen Lynch (pictured), a member of
the US congress, the delegation met with some
Nigerian officials and discussed on security of
US embassy in Nigeria.
“This is a critical time for Nigeria and this
region,” Lynch said.
“Nigeria’s national elections are scheduled in
just over two weeks, while Boko Haram
controls an area in the north about the size of
New Jersey.
“The bombings and other Boko Haram activities
are sure to further destabilise some areas in
the run up to the election. It’s a precarious
situation.
“The situation can change quickly and we have
to continue to find ways to collaborate with our
African partners as they battle against regional
terrorist organisations.”
A statement on the website of US embassy
revealed that the delegation had earlier visited
embassies and consulate general offices in
Johannesburg, South Africa; Maputo,
Mozambique; and Harare, Zimbabwe in an
effort to strengthen US capacity to prevent and
withstand potential attacks against foreign
service operations.
“Many of our embassies and consulates were
established in the 1950s and 1960s, when the
security profile was vastly different than it is
now,” Lynch said.
“Today, these facilities are targets and we need
to adjust to the new reality and provide a more
secure environment for our State Department
employees.”
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