Rescue Boko Haram Abducted School Girls Now..US Tells FG

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle has charged the Federal Government of Nigeria to go all out and  seek the release of the 100 school girls abducted by some members of the Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of the country.

The US Ambassador gave the charge after the opening ceremony of the 2014 edition of a multi-national military exercise being held in Lagos code named Obangame Express.

The Ambassador also condemned the Nyanya bombing by the suspected terrorists calling it a cowardly act by the insurgents.

The US Ambassador said that the abduction of school girls by the insurgents is “shocking and as I said during the remarks, that kind of incident along with the bombing in Abuja underline why my country stand with your country in the fight against terrorism, we will be helping in appropriate way but our heart goes to all of those children.”

Indeed the Ambassador said that the US stands with Nigeria as they grapple with the problems of terrorism within the country, just as he disclosed that a report has been submitted to the President of the United States in respect to a request he made by Nigeria to the US on ending crude oil theft and terrorism.

Although the Ambassador refused giving details of the report, but noted that it contains the ability of the Nigerian Navy to control key check points, what happened to missing oil revenues and how the US could assist Nigeria to curb the menace.

He said: “As many of you are aware, last September, when President Jonathan and President Obama met in New York, we were asked to help your government in the struggle against oil bunkering. We  sent out an interagency delegation and have delivered a report to your government.”

He said the US is willing to assist Nigeria in any way it can to curb the problems of crude oil theft, adding that the “US remains absolutely committed to collaborating with and supporting Nigeria in its ongoing efforts to increase maritime safety and security in the region.”

Ambassador Entwistle said the US has and enduring relationship with Nigeria and the Nigerian Navy and “we deeply appreciate your lead role in bringing the many nations of the Gulf of Guinea together to work cooperatively.”

Earlier, The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin told journalists that the Nigerian Navy is equipped, platform wise, to combat the problem of crude oil theft, adding that the objective of the exercise is to improve maritime interdiction capability and power projection.

Admiral Jibrin who was represented by Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda said this is the second time Obangame Express, adding that the war game is a maritime interdiction exercise based on simulated scenarios of the most prevalent transnational crimes at sea.

Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade said the Nigerian Navy will deploying over eight vessels and two helicopters to participate this exercise.