The Federal Government has warned the
American government against using its
recent designation of Boko Haram and
Ansaru as terrorist groups against Nigerians
travelling to the US for legitimate
engagements.
Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo
gave the warning at the State House in
Abuja yesterday while receiving a US
delegation led by the Assistant Secretary for
the Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador
Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Sambosaid the designation should rather
enhance the cooperation between Nigeria
and the US in the former’s efforts towards
curbing terrorism.
Hesaid the Federal Government was doing
everything possible to quickly end the
security challenges in the North-eastern part
of Nigeria.
Earlier,Thomas-Greenfield said they were in
Nigeria to follow up on the discussions held
between Jonathan andPresident Barack
Obama, in September.
Shesaid their visit was also aimed at
working out a counter-insurgency
programme with the relevant stakeholders
and to share information on various aspects
of security including maritime security in
order to help in tackling the security
challenges in Nigeria.
challenges in Nigeria.
Accordingto her, the designation of Boko
Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist
Organisations gives the US the opportunity
to support Nigeria in tackling the security
challenges posed by insurgents.