The United States of America has offered to help Nigeria end the lingering security challenges currently ravaging many parts of the country.
US said it was worried by the incessant abduction of school children in Nigeria recently, adding that it is ready to help end the abduction if requested by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
Michael Gonzales, deputy assistant secretary of the US Bureau of African Affairs, made this known on Thursday during a press briefing organised by the bureau.
According to him, America was “disgusted” by the pattern of mass abductions which he described as an internal security threat.
He attributed the challenges to “monetary and economic factors” which according to him, motivate the criminal elements to embark on such activities.
According to him, “the United States is ready to provide appropriate support for the Nigerian government if requested to do so. Longer term, we seek to help develop the capabilities of the Nigerian security services in order for them to adequately respond to the internal threats that the country faces.”
He lauded President Buhari over the decision to replace the service chiefs as part of efforts to restore normalcy to the country, stressing that the United States was encouraged by the move.
He stated that the US Government was looking forward to partnering with the new Service Chiefs to continue building the capacities of the Nigerian military to tackle security challenges bedevilling the entire nation.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has denied diverting funds meant for procurement of arms while in office.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, had said the newly appointed Service Chiefs did not meet the funds approved for the procurement arms upon their resumption of office.
Monguno, however, countered the report, saying he was misquoted.
The former Service Chief has now said those with questions should channel their queries to the Ministry of Defence for details on how funds meant for arms were spent.
Buratai made the clarification, in a statement signed by his lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu.
The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to an interview granted BBC by National Security Adviser (NSA), RTD Major General Babagana Monguno, wherein he was alleged to have accused former service chiefs of filtering ARMS Fund away.
“I can confirm that Lt. General Buratai and other ex-service chiefs were never mentioned in the interview and neither was any arms fund missing under the stewardship of Lt. Gen T.Y. Buratai.
“Interestingly, NSA Babagana Monguno has denied making such accusations. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance any such misquoted narrative suggesting sleaze on the integrity of Rtd Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai.
“Anyone interested in knowing how arms were procured by the ex-service chiefs and particularly Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai should channel such request for information to the Ministry of Defence.”
Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has said the people of the Southwest are determined to actualise Yoruba nation.
Igboho declared that the time was right to actualise the much-desired Yoruba nation.
The freedom fighter, in a statement by his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, stressed that there was no going back on the push to actualise the Yoruba nation.
The statement partly read: “Anyone willing to support the agitation for the Yoruba nation is highly welcomed; the goal is the Yoruba nation now.
“We know what we want and are not going back. Every other side talk is nothing but a distraction. We are fully focused; the Yoruba nation is the goal.
“Let me reiterate, anything you did not hear from me, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) or my spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki of Koiki Media, is not a fact.”
Igboho has been advocating for the expulsion of killer herdsmen from the Southwest.
Amid his calls for killer herdsmen to leave the Southwest, a combined team of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the police had allegedly attempted to arrest him.
The attempt was made along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a few weeks ago.
