The U.S. on Friday pledged to mobilise more aid and support for Nigeria and other countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power made the pledge at a Town Hall Meeting with the students and staff of American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola. Power noted that the current assistance to Nigeria and other affected countries was inadequate in meeting the food and medical needs of the Internally Displace Persons (IDPs), among others.
“When I return to United Nations in New York, I plan to deliver an urgent message to other member states that we together need to do much more to support Nigeria and other affected countries in responding to this immense problem,’’ she said.
Power noted that so far, the U.S. support to Nigeria covered only 13 per cent of the UN requirements in meeting the needs of the IDPs in the country. She commended the efforts of the Nigerian military to contain the Boko Haram insurgents, citing the soldiers’ latest repel of the insurgents’ attack in Kareto as a feat.
She also urged the military to continue the campaign within the rules of engagement by respecting the people’s human rights in the fight so as to garner the citizens’ trust and goodwill. “This (respect for human rights) is something we had discussed in all our meetings with the leaders in Cameroon, Chad, President Buhari and respective regional militaries,’’ she said.
Power noted that Boko Haram had an unparalleled record in the area of human rights abuses, adding that the U.S. was now very active in efforts to strengthen the Nigerian military’s capacity to perform optimally.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while in Yola, Power visited IDPs camps, addressed a news conference and took time off in the evening to play basketball with the students of AUN.
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