President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, made a passionate appeal to the United States government to assist Nigeria in her effort to tackle the insecurity situation caused by the Islamic group, Boko Haram.
The president said, "Nigeria is facing security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation's extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping", and added that the USA government must "support Nigeria's efforts to find lasting solutions to these problems".
Jonathan made this appeal when the Commander of the United States' Africa Command (AFRICOM) General Carter Ham, paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, as part of his activities at the National Defence College, Abuja.
"We appreciate the commitment of the United States to assist in ensuring that the world is safe and secure", the president told Ham, even as he congratulated President Barack Obama on his re-election and commended the smooth US elections.
He informed Gen. Ham of his visit to Mali and the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, and noted that the situation could still be contained if the right steps were taken quickly.
Gen Ham had earlier said that he had held talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.
He said the USA was ready to cooperate with Nigeria in areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolving the conflict in Mali.
Ham commended Nigeria's Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilian participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.
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