Nigeria’s war on terrorism has gotten additional boost as the British Government has decided to grant Nigeria defence and humanitarian assistance over the next 5 years. The package comes on the heels of a recent visit by Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to the North East.
Here’s a summary of the assistance by the British government:
- An emergency package of $259 million will be spent over 5 years.
- The package includes food, medicine, educational support.
- Infrastructural access for aid workers will also be provided over the period.
Motives behind the package are not entirely altruistic
British Home Secretary Boris Johnson may have unwittingly revealed the deeper reason behind the package when he made this statement. He also mandated the Federal Government to continue supporting the region.
“The consequences of this catastrophe are felt in our country. When you have massive pressures like this — when you have massive tracts of the country under control by terrorists, of course it drives great waves of migration, drives great waves of refugees to our country,” he said.
A wave of terrorism has recently hit Europe with France and Britain falling under multiple attacks. The British Government may have decided to step up its assistance to reduce the influx of refugees into the country, some of who may be terrorists.
The Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) was recently dogged by allegations of corruption. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) David Babchir Lawal was alleged to have violated due process in the award of contracts to a company he had interest in. Mr Lawal was suspended pending an investigation into the allegations.
The Buhari administration had enhancing security as one of its campaign promises. Since assuming office, the government has been able to rescue some of the Chibok girls who were captured b
