‘I’ll restore military ties with US,’ President-elect says

Buhari stated further that Nigeria would also have better coordination with neighbouring countries in order to combat the activities of terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will restore military ties with the US when he assumes office.

Buhari stated further that Nigeria would also have better coordination with neighbouring countries in order to combat the activities of terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

This was contained in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

It reads:

“My administration would welcome the resumption of a military training agreement with the United States, which was halted during the previous administration. We must, of course, have better coordination with the military campaigns our African allies, like Chad and Niger, are waging in the struggle against Boko Haram. But, in the end, the answer to this threat must come from within Nigeria.”

 “We must start by deploying more troops to the front and away from civilian areas in central and southern Nigeria where for too long they have been used by successive governments to quell dissent.”

“We must work closer with our neighbours in coordinating our military efforts so an offensive by one army does not see their country’s rid of Boko Haram only to push it across the border onto their neighbour’s territory.”

Buhari also attempted to explain the reason behind the sect’s activities and its apparent resistance to education.

“If you are starving and young, and in search of answers as to why your life is so difficult, fundamentalism can be alluring. We know this for a fact because former members of Boko Haram have admitted it: They offer impressionable young people money and the promise of food, while the group’s mentors twist their minds with fanaticism.”

“So, we must be ready to offer the parts of our country affected by this group an alternative. Boosting education will be a direct counter-balance to Boko Haram’s appeal.”

“In particular we must educate more young girls, ensuring they will grow up to be empowered through learning to play their full part as citizens of Nigeria and pull themselves up and out of poverty. Indeed, we owe it to the schoolgirls of Chibok to provide as best an education as possible for our fellow young citizens.”

“It is our intention to show Boko Haram that it will not succeed,” Buhari said.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration cancelled US training of Nigerian soldiers citing a lack of sincerity on the part of the Americans.