• American Generals, Officials Hold Discussions In Abuja

AS Boko Haram continues to launch terrorist attacks in the country, a deliberate lobby is going on in the US to frustrate American government’s attempt to label the sect a terrorist group.

Consequently, the Federal Government may be hiring an American lobbying firm to scuttle the lobby and represent Nigeria’s interest in the matter.

Informed sources, during the week, told The Guardian that soon after November last year’s hearing by the US House of Representatives on the global threat of Boko Haram, the US State Department came under pressure from lawmakers to impose the label of a terrorist group on the militant Islamic group.

But at about the same time, some influential groups of intellectuals, and policy think tanks in the US are canvassing publicly and within the US government circles to oppose the plans to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.

If the US government goes ahead to designate Boko Haram a terrorist group, the move will activate the use of US government resources to confront the group, identify its financing, and cut it off as much as possible, while also legally enabling the government to adopt other measures to stigmatise and isolate the terrorist group.

While the Nigerian government’s views are not being sought openly by the US on the matter, a Nigerian Minister was so concerned during a recent visit to the US capital about what the minister described as a “concerted effort” against Nigeria by the intellectuals and some policy think-tanks trying to downplay the Boko Haram threat in the US and lobby against the designation of the sect as terrorist.

In order to counter the lobby, the Federal Government is now considering hiring a US lobbying firm to scuttle the lobby, since the pro-Boko Haram arrowheads are cautioning the US government not to make the Islamic group an enemy of the Americans, in direct opposition to the recommendations of the US House of Representatives, which authored an authoritative report on the real threat posed by Boko Haram, even to the US.

Commenting on the matter, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Prof Ade Adefuye, confirmed that indeed “the U S House of representatives intends to take hearings from Nigerians in the US on the desirability, or otherwise, of declaring Boko Haram a terrorist organisation and a danger to US interest.”

But he added that “the Nigerian government has not yet responded officially though its views on this will not matter to the US Congress.”

The Ambassador disclosed that although the Nigerian Embassy sends representatives to such hearing, they only go as observers.

However, Adefuye argued that the Boko Haram threat is clearly international, including the US, partly because there has been traces of their “connection and  possible links with terrorist organisations in Niger, Mali and also to the Al-Shabaab in Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.”

He said this “confirms what the U.S Commander of Africom said that Boko Haram has possible links with Al Qaida affiliates.”

In fact, there are indications that the Nigeria-US Bi-national Commission meetings tomorrow and Tuesday in Abuja would be discussing the Boko Haram issues, including its threat internationally and its possible designation by the US as a terrorist group.

Attending the meeting from the US are top military chiefs, who are already in Nigeria and the Nigerian delegation, which includes the Ambassador to the US, would be led by the National Security Advisor, General Owoye Azazi.

In an article published in the New York Times early this month, a US professor, Jean Herskovits, recalled the report, last November, of a sub-committee of the US House Committee on Homeland Security, which made the case that Boko Haram be added to America’s list of foreign terrorist organisations.

According to her, the US “State Department’s Africa Bureau disagrees, but pressure from Congress and several government agencies is mounting,” for such a designation, especially with the rising dangerous trend of the sect and its possible impact in the west African region and potential to hit US interests as well having hit the UN building last August.

Sources say Herskovits is one of the intellectual arrowheads of the lobby within the US trying to stop Boko Haram’s designation, and her article was what triggered the consideration by the federal government to hire a US lobbyist to represent Nigeria’s views and interests as the debate continues within US government circles.

Efforts to reach the State Department to ascertain its position on the designation of the sect as terrorist was abortive, but it is believed that the BNC meeting this week in Abuja, which is also being attended by US State Department officials, would address the concerns.

As far as Herskovits is concerned, “the United States should not allow itself to be drawn into this quicksand by focusing on Boko Haram alone. Washington is already seen by many northern Muslims — including a large number of longtime admirers of America — as biased toward a Christian president from the South.

The United States must work to avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy that makes us into their enemy. Placing Boko Haram on the foreign terrorist list would cement such views and make more Nigerians fear and distrust America.”

Herskovits views represents the intellectual bulwark of those opposed to labeling Boko Haram a terrorist group, a view that runs deeply contrary to those of elected US lawmakers.

According to the lawmakers in their November report titled Boko Haram: An Emerging Threat, “based on Boko Haram’s evolution and recent public warnings by the U.S. State Department to U.S. citizens in Nigeria, Boko Haram may meet the legal criteria for State Department’s Foreign Terrorist Organization, FTO designation.”

The report added that the State Department should initiate the process of making such a designation, noting that “if Boko Haram were to be designated an FTO, it would support U.S. intelligence Community efforts to curb the group’s financing, stigmatize and isolate it internationally, heighten public awareness and knowledge, and signal to other governments that US takes the threat from Boko Haram seriously.”
www.ngrguardiannews.com

I vote America allow Nigerians deal with this one their own too.  No need to deploy American resources when it is all too clear that the Nigerian people are not ready for change. Plus, that money can go to better things here in the States.

Hmmmmmmmm

Americans help is needed especially in intelligence gathering and possible in cuttiing off their links with other international terrorists groups.

What controversy ? There's no need for any debate as it's clear these boko bastards are not members of a childrens playgroup.

The Nigerian Gov't is clearly way out of their depth with this issue, and would clearly benefit from some foreign help in whatever guise, be it overt or covert.

What i'd like to see happen is for the US (acting on any intelligence they have) to launch hellfire missiles via their drones on some of the boko masterminds, no matter how highly placed they may be. By the time they realise they've been sussed and there's no hiding place, maybe they'll calm down with their murderous shenanigans. There's nothing that would strike fear into the hearts of these masterminds more than to see the charred smouldering remains of their mate, sent straight to hell with compliments of the United States (or Isreal, as the case may be).

What controversy Huh? There's no need for any debate as it's clear these boko bastards are not members of a childrens playgroup.

The Nigerian Gov't is clearly way out of their depth with this issue, and would clearly benefit from some foreign help in whatever guise, be it overt or covert.

What i'd like to see happen is for the US (acting on any intelligence they have) to launch hellfire missiles via their drones on some of the boko masterminds, no matter how highly placed they may be. By the time they realise they've been sussed and there's no hiding place, maybe they'll calm down with their murderous shenanigans. There's nothing that would strike fear into the hearts of these masterminds more than to see the charred smouldering remains of their mate, sent straight to hell with compliments of the United States (or Isreal, as the case may be).

Are you trying to invite Assassins Drones to Nigeria. It will add to our problem. let our Government stand-up to the task.

But clearly boko haram is a terrorists organisation. The US should not waste any time further debating the obvious. We need drones in the sky and boots on ground to curtail this evil of terrorism. The more time it take for such to happen the more the people whose lives are needlessly lost.

Nothing to debate, just send down drones up north! But i doubt the so called "Northern Cabalchan" will allow that to happen, buh who cares what they think or feel, America simly want to protect their own selfinterest as they always do, and Not Nigeria!

Please someone ask me why the U.S.A is allover BOKO HARAM! Why is it not Russia's Headache, or China? or U.K? You know why? THE CIA created the real terrorist BOKO HARAM > OFF SHOOT OF ITS AL QAEDA CREATION! Don't be dumb People!

Why is the U.S.A all over every TERRORIST GROUP? Why are they worked over? Why is the U.S the U.N? They are the world police, but do they have the right of monopoly over security in the planet? George Bush called for a New World Order, and in order to create that, they have to introduce STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM to keep all y'all dumb assess in check! Well watch out for a surprise this Year!

diluminati:

Please someone ask me why the U.S.A is allover BOKO HARAM! Why is it not Russia's Headache, or China? or U.K? You know why? THE CIA created the real terrorist BOKO HARAM > OFF SHOOT OF ITS AL QAEDA CREATION! Don't be dumb People!

diluminati:

Why is the U.S.A all over every TERRORIST GROUP? Why are they worked over? Why is the U.S the U.N? They are the world police, but do they have the right of monopoly over security in the planet? George Bush called for a New World Order, and in order to create that, they have to introduce STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM to keep all y'all dumb assess in check! Well watch out for a surprise this Year!

So in other words, they (U.S) shouldn't try to clean up the 'mess' you allege they created!!?

Just listen to the Boko Haramist in our group:
1. The US shouldn't get involved in Nigeria's affair
2. The US can use the money better in the States
3. US has no business policing the World
4. Nigerian governenment would make a mistake asking for US help.
5. Etc, bla, bla, blaaaaaahhh.

These Boko Haram supporters are obviously happy with the upper-hand of the organization at this time, and want the status quo to continue indefinitely

These are the type of Aboki oil liason and addict doing the lobbying and warning in America. Check the links for her profile and her recent warning to Obama.
http://www.tydanjumafoundation.org/about/board-of-trustees/
http://allafrica.com/stories/201201040617.html

naijaking1:

Just listen to the Boko Haramist in our group:
1. The US shouldn't get involved in Nigeria's affair
2. The US can use the money better in the States
3. US has no business policing the World
4. Nigerian governenment would make a mistake asking for US help.
5. Etc, bla, bla, blaaaaaahhh.

These Boko Haram supporters are obviously happy with the upper-hand of the organization at this time, and want the status quo to continue indefinitely

You are VERY right and very OBSERVANT. We have Boko Harams and theirs sympathizers on this forum. They have infiltrated this forum pushing the Agendas of their kinsmen.  They score cheap political points by trying to sound "Logical". Stupid bunch. They should be monitored. And those claiming to be " Artificial Americans" here. Don't be surprised when FBI pays you a visit.

Phuck. They are a TERRORIST organisation. We need this in our skies.

Before America send Drones,they should first Divide Nigeria,and then focus on Boko Haram in their country up north

naijaking1:

Just listen to the Boko Haramist in our group:
1. The US shouldn't get involved in Nigeria's affair
2. The US can use the money better in the States
3. US has no business policing the World
4. Nigerian governenment would make a mistake asking for US help.
5. Etc, bla, bla, blaaaaaahhh.

These Boko Haram supporters are obviously happy with the upper-hand of the organization at this time, and want the status quo to continue indefinitely

I cant agree less with ur statement.The most annoying is somebody using the name America on nairaland as if she is more American than the real Americans.

naijaking1:

Just listen to the Boko Haramist in our group:
1. The US shouldn't get involved in Nigeria's affair
2. The US can use the money better in the States
3. US has no business policing the World
4. Nigerian governenment would make a mistake asking for US help.
5. Etc, bla, bla, blaaaaaahhh.

These Boko Haram supporters are obviously happy with the upper-hand of the organization at this time, and want the status quo to continue indefinitely

Why are anti-GEJ peeps always scared about boko haram getting a bad name?
I wonder! Hmmm!

--Beaf scratches head--

OCCULTIST:

Before America send Drones,they should first Divide Nigeria,and then focus on Boko Haram in their country up north

Better, your proposal sounds better .

We will continue to expose Boko Haramists and their sympathizers on this forum .

Ozin:

I cant agree less with ur statement.The most annoying is somebody using the name America on nairaland as if she is more American than the real Americans.

Spot on bro. The "FAKE Americans", trying too hard to be mere American.  You wanna know what the REAL AMERICANS think? Just go to yahoo article about any terrorist acts in Nigeria and you read their comments. You would see that the REAL AMERICANS are all for taking out the Terrorists. Heck, many have even proposed to help.

Olodostein:

Phuck. They are a TERRORIST organisation.  We need this in our skies.

It all looks like a video game now till real people - possibly you or people you know - get caught in the cross fire or end up as collateral damage. The American intervention in Pakistan or Afghanistan has had more than its fair share of unintended hits that it is amazing that people still want the same for Nigeria. Besides have your really considered the implications of such a move and are you really comfortable with Nigeria being the new battleground for US versus terrorists groups?

Besides let the Americans put their money to other use, I recall our president assuring the world that BH will quickly become a thing of the past.

Bawss1:

It all looks like a video game now till real people - possibly you or people you know - get caught in the cross fire or end up as collateral damage. The American intervention in Pakistan or Afghanistan has had more than its fair share of unintended hits that it is amazing that people still want the same for Nigeria. Besides have your really considered the implications of such a move and are you really comfortable with Nigeria being the new battleground for US versus terrorists groups?

I don't PHUCKING care what it looks like. My people are already gearing up for mass EXODUS. Let those who brought the carnage upon themselves eat their cake and have it.

Sorry my friend. I am just being pragmatic .

The enemy of my enemy is my friend .

Nigerians are not ashamed of themselves.
How can you people be so bold to declare that we cannot take care of our problems by ourselves and we need the US?
Shameless people.
No wonder when Africans visit other continents they are made fun of and insulted with different derogatory epithets.
I hope that those of you calling for external help instead of suggesting ways to solve the problem ourselves are ready to accept Americans as your superiors, seeing as how you admit they can achieve what you cannot.
I hope you accept their disrespect and rascism because you have proven that you deserve it with your st[i]u[/i]pid statements.

[size=18pt]USA wants to come and secure our oil oh. . . . [/size]      

OCCULTIST:

Before America send Drones,they should first Divide Nigeria,and then focus on Boko Haram in their country up north

Correct yarns there. I would appreciate it if it would be totally split up. So they can bomb everything up North to smithereens

Nigeria need US support more than ever to smoke out these terrorists from our midst. It is obvious that this BH terrorist organisation has link to other major terrorist group? Or is the US waiting for these group to export their trade to the US homeland before the wake up from the silly debate. BH is a terror group and the US should designate them as such and deploy whatever resource necessary to tackle then.

clearly Nigeria does not have the know how and resource to deal with the issue. Calling for external help from US, UK, Israel, and other nation with experience in terror fighting is not something to be ashamed of. The sooner the US and these other nation take up the gauntlet, the better and safer for the rest of us. Come and rescue us from this BH terror US!

I don't support foreign aid at all!! Unless we divide Nigeria then they(old nigeria) could then cry for foreign aid__U.S always have strings attached to their aid!! I've never loved North Americans right from childhood!!!_invite them to your country, then get ready for racial slurs__BULL.poo

Bawss1:

Besides let the Americans put their money to other use, I recall our president assuring the world that BH will quickly become a thing of the past.

He also said he doesnt a solution to them cuz their sponsors are in his govt.

Olodostein:

I don't PHUCKING care what it looks like. My people are already gearing up for mass EXODUS. Let those who brought the carnage upon themselves eat their cake and have it.

Sorry my friend. I am just being pragmatic .

The enemy of my enemy is my friend .

I was going to question your sense of pragmatism here till I looked at your location and it says 'wonderland'.

Someone narrated the sophistication of which these guys carried out the kano attacks and i wonder if an Iman, his deciples or any other Aboki i know and interacted with is capable of doing such without a training synonimous to that of Nigerian army.

These guy dared the security men including the almighty army and until now there is no any single image of a captured, wounded or even dead boko haram member shown to us during the friday face off in Kano. It was clean operation!

If there is no Boko haram or any bombings in Nigeria US will not have any excuse to come into Nigeria and i tell they very eager to come. This is more than GEJ, army or the police. This US playing there script and i tell you it is working.

Somebody asked up there why is China, UK (our colonial masters), Russia, etc not saying anything about boko haram and terrorism? Or dont they have interests in Nigeria?  

worm:


Somebody asked up there why is China, UK (our colonial masters), Russia, etc not saying anything about boko haram and terrorism? Or dont they have interests in Nigeria?  

Do they have Nigeria listed among their top 5 oil exporters?

^^
The last time i checked the oyel belongs to Nigera not America