President Goodluck Jonathan has solicited the support of United States of America (USA) government to fight the Boko Haram menace as well as crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
He made the call when he received the Commander of the United States’ Africa Command, AFRICOM, General Carter Ham, who paid a courtesy call to the State House,Abuja, yesterday.
The President called on theUnited Statesto assistNigeriato find lasting solution to the security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping.
While commending the global role of the USA in promoting global peace and security, Jonathan said the role played by the USA had engendered a safer and more secure world.
According to Jonathan, Nigeria deeply “appreciates the commitment of theUnited States to assist in ensuring that the world is safe and secure.”
He also briefed General Ham on his visit to Mali and the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, adding that the situation could still be contained if the right steps are taken quickly.
Earlier, Gen. Ham had revealed that he had taken advantage of his paper presentation at the National Defence College to hold talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.
He promised that the USAwas ready to cooperate withNigeriain areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolving the conflict in Mali.
Gen. Ham commendedNigeria’s Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.