Temitope Adeogun
President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the United States for greater military assistance in the fight against Boko Haram.
He told the Wall Street Journal in an interview: “Are they (the United States) not fighting ISIS? Why can’t they come to Nigeria?
“They are our friends. If Nigeria has a problem, then I expect the US to come and assist us.”
Jonathan said Boko Haram militants, who have taken over swathes of territory in northeastern Nigeria, have received training and funds from the Islamic State jihadists, based in Iraq and Syria.
Jonathan said he has requested combat soldiers and military advisers from Washington since early 2014.
But John Kirby, Pentagon spokesman said there are no plans to send US troops to Nigeria.
“I can tell you that there are no plans as I speak here to send unilaterally or to add US troops into Nigeria. There are no US troops operating in Nigeria.”
Kirby said the United States was in the early phases of helping establish a multi-national task force of African nations to help Nigeria defeat Boko Haram.
“These discussions are really just now starting,” Kirby added.
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