Boko Haram: 'We’re troubled by ‘apparent’ capture of Bama,' says US

In Abuja, the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, lamented that Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East and had shown that it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere.

Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with Federal Government officials on Thursday, added that Washington was troubled by the “apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram.

She said the US was preparing to launch a “major” border security
programme to help Nigeria and its neighbours combat the increasing
number and scope of attacks by the insurgents.

But she was quick to remind the Nigerian authorities that “we are past time for denial and pride.” She said, “Since we last met in August 2013, the frequency and scope of Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown more acute and constitute a serious threat to this country’s overall security. “Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-East, but in Kano, in Abuja, and elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population.

“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.’’

The outlawed Islamist sect has killed thousands of people since 2009 and has in recent weeks overrun and held swathes of territory in the North-East.

On Monday, the militants launched an attack on Bama, a town 78 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Although the military denied that Bama had been overrun, the Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly, Ahmed Zannah, insisted on Wednesday that the insurgents were in control of the town.

Thomas-Greenfield, who leads Washington’s African Affairs team, told the meeting that the upsurge in violence “constitutes a serious threat” to Nigeria.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s claim that the captured town of Gwoza was now a part of an Islamic caliphate “only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily worsening,” she added.

Noting that a convoy of Cameroonian soldiers are deployed as part of a military reinforcement against the sect, Thomas-Greenfield added, “All of these developments are deeply disturbing and increasingly dangerous with each passing day.”

Before the “apparent capture of Bama”, the militants seized Gamboru-Ngala, Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Madagali in Adamawa.

Reports also had it on Thursday that the insurgents took over Bara and Gulani also in Yobe State.

Late last month, about 480 Nigerian
soldiers abandoned their posts and fled to Cameroon during a gunfight with the militants but the Defence Headquarters described their action as “tactical manoeuvres.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the stakes were high after experts warned that the Federal Government risked losing control of the North-East and the violence could spread across borders.

“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option,” she added.

The diplomat said, “Cameroon’s military is increasingly forced to fight Boko Haram within its borders and they flee back into Nigeria without fear. The Chibok schoolgirls and others remain
hostages, enduring horrible and tragic suffering.

“Abubakar Shekau’s bold announcement that Boko Haram is now governing a ‘caliphate’ only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily worsening.’’

Reports