You Have to Protect Nigerians, US Tells FG
The US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, has called on the federal government to ensure that Nigerians and other international humanitarian organizations helping the country following the activities of Boko Haram are protected.
Pompeo said Nigerians and others must be protected from any religious and ethnic violence.
The US Secretary of State made the call during a joint media briefing with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, on Tuesday during the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission event.
He expressed concerns over increasing activities of Boko Haram and bandits in the North East.
There have been increasing criminal activities leading to series of killings in Niger, Zamfara and Katsina states.
Noting that US government was aware of the challenges involved, he however said government must do everything to protect its citizens.
He said the US will support the government with $40m as humanitarian assistance to add about $350m given to the government last year.
“The foreign minister and I also discussed the massive humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa and other religious and ethnic violence.”
“We know that these issues are hard. We know that they’re complicated. But I strongly encourage the Nigerian government to do more to protect its civilians, including religious communities and the humanitarian organisations, seeking to assist them.
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