Nigeria security challenges extraordinary, says US, promises training, equipment

United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said Nigeria is indeed facing extraordinary security challenges.

According to him, the US is prepared to provide necessary training for the security forces and resources as well as vital information sharing to tackle the problem frontally.

He said this during a virtual round-table discussion with Kenyan and Nigerian journalists.

Blinken said, “It is fair to say that the challenges that Nigeria faces, when it comes to security, are quite extraordinary — and you referenced them — whether it’s terrorism, banditry and criminality or it’s piracy. All of these are real challenges.

“One, we are in absolute solidarity between us in trying to address these challenges together. And the United States is committed to supporting Nigeria as it meets these challenges. And what that involves primarily is helping Nigeria continue to build its capacity through training, resources, information sharing and equipment; and all of that done, very importantly, with full respect for human rights.

“But it’s also important that we work together, as we are, to address some of the drivers or facilitators of violence and instability that we know those engaged in these activities can sometimes feed on. And that’s why you have to have a comprehensive approach to these challenges.”

Although he said military approach was important, he stressed that it would be insufficient, adding that economic development, progress and opportunity would be taken along to fully address the problem.

Blinken also advised countries battling security challenges to deal with the root causes of insecurity in their region.

He said, “So, too, are dealing with some of the other drivers that sometimes produce conflict, violence, and extremism. And one of the things that are striking, of course, is the Lake Chad basin. And there we’ve seen over time, as you know, the erosion of the basin because of climate change.

“That, in turn, can produce conflict over resources, new migratory patterns that put people in conflict, food insecurity, the more easy spread of disease, all of which can produce an environment in which terrorism, criminality, other forms of violence are more likely.

“So I think it’s vital that we address these, as I know President Buhari is very focused on, and it’is also why it was so important to have President Buhari, as well as President Kenyatta from Kenya, take part in the climate summit that President Biden convened last week, which was a very powerful manifestation of the broad international commitment to address the challenges posed by climate change, which in turn, as we do it, I think will address some of the drivers we’ve seen of conflict which in turn can feed extremism.

“So, it’s a long way of saying I think we have to see the big picture, the comprehensive picture – obviously focus on the hard security collaboration that we have and strengthen that, but also not lose sight of some of the bigger pieces of this that we have to address together as well.”