The United States (US) and Nigeria have agreed to establish groups, focused on strengthening security cooperation, the economy and tackling corruption, after a day-long dialogue at the State Department.
In a joint statement, the countries said the groups would come up with a paper work within a month to finalise the goals.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, will meet the US Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, today (Thursday) on the sidelines of a two-day nuclear security summit in Washington DC, comprising of leaders from at least 50 countries.
Mr Kerry and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, held meetings and acknowledged the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast and neighboring countries, as well as tough economic times caused by a fall in oil prices.
According to the US Secretary of State, the United States is committed in helping Nigeria tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.
He warned that security forces must avoid human rights abuses, even as they stepped up the fight against the dreaded terrorists.
“Under President Buhari, Nigeria has been involved in the fight against Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s capacity to launch full-scale attacks,” Mr kerry said.
The US Secretary of State added that in recent months, US military trainers have been helping Nigeria’s security forces to improve information sharing tactics, as well as train and equip two infantry battalions.
Credit: Channelstv
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