US removes Nigeria from terror list

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

Nigeria may have  been delisted from  the countries that harbour or sponsor terrorism against the United States (US) and its allies which was the source of diplomatic tension between the two countries following the ill-fated attempt by a foreign based Nigerian student, Farouk Umar Farouk Abdulmuttallab, to bomb a plane in Detroit, US  on December 25, 2009.

Nigeria’s external image took a dip in January 2010, when the US placed the country on global terror list following the failed attempt  by Abdulmutallab to detonate the bomb strapped to his pants  while, on  the domestic front, there have been a  spate of bomb blasts targeted at politicians, the security agencies, churches and academic institutions by the Boko Haram sect operating in the northern part of the country.

Foreign Affairs Ministry sources told Sunday Vanguard that Washington has removed Nigeria’s name from the terror watch list which subjects Nigerians as well as nationals from the listed countries to special security checks on their arrival to the US.

The sources said that before he was inaugurated  on May 29,2011, President  Goodluck Jonathan took steps to  address  the impression created by the action of the US  authorities as Nigeria was not a known base for terrorist groups neither is the economic interest of the US and safety of its nationals in Nigeria in peril. The insinuation by an MI5 agent, according to the sources, that Al-Qaeda planned to use Nigeria as its operational base is without foundation.

Nigeria also took steps to convince the American leadership that “Nigeria as a state does not sponsor terrorism against its citizens or its neighbours or indeed other countries, regardless of differences in their foreign policy orientation and disposition.” One of the sources added:”It was therefore an overreaction on the part of the US authorities to use the action of one youth to brand, target and subject over 150million other people to odious treatment, through invasive searches and other humiliating security checks”.

Nigeria, the sources maintained,  has sped  up the passage of the Anti-Terrorism and Other Related Offences Act 2010 to underscore  her  commitment to tackling  terrorism at  the domestic and international fronts. “We are the first in Africa to do this and we have been fully compliant and cooperative with international security agencies in exchange of intelligence on counter terrorism but this does not mean that there are no challenges as we have seen in the Boko Haram activities in the bombing of the headquarters of Nigeria Police, the reckless use of  improvised explosive devices to attack military and security personnel in Abuja, Suleja, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna and other parts of the country,” one of the sources stated.

“We have since told the Presidency of the need to  take proactive steps to mobilise public opinion, support and action to tackle the scourge of terrorism which has adverse socio-political and economic consequences for Nigeria within and outside its borders.

“As you may  know, all American flights carry  marshals who are trained to combat  possible in-flight terror attack. There are other counter-terrorism measures that are taken which we should keep off the record.” Apart from the US, members of the European Union  (EU) have stepped up their  support for Nigeria’s anti-terrorism war.

France, Germany and Britain have indicated their willingness to aid  Nigeria  on  the  war against terrorism. The sources said the support  by the EU countries will come in  form of training for security agencies and provision of technical support to counter terrorism in the country.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/us-removes-nigeria-from-terror-list/

Nigeria deserves to be on that list. Why was removed?

Say Obama.

Definitely we are not terrorist country.

what kind of lie is this? we are working towards overtaking pakistan in the terrorist activities. anyways, they are right because we are not terrorizing the US rather we are terrorizing ourselves.
we dey try for the terrorists programs with boko haram and mend at the top.

The US is scared of Nigeria, lol, Thanks BOKO HALAL

ok

Why are these unpatriotic olodos unhappy that their country may have been delisted from the countries that harbour or sponsor terrorism against the United States (US) and its allies? Are the terrorists in Nigeria sponsoring terrorism against the US? Is MEND attacking US interests, is Boko Haram attaching US interests? Some of you people are moronic beyond belief. SMH

Rubbish.

hmm..

Blackteeth:

Nigeria deserves to be on that list. Why was removed?

let them come and handle Boko Haram,that's more dept to this country but better security.

Abeg the name should be there. Until BOKO face the US loi

Who cares? I dnt care what ya all think abt 9ja 4 life.

Mehn datz a gudnews . . .Letz jus hope it wiLL mak dem start givin us visa without much streSS . . .LoL

So which list have they put Nigeria now?the one that habours terrorists or the list of countries fighting terrorism with kid gloves?

am sure they are scared of the boko H.,lol hahahahaha, see brain work

anyway, thats good news but am sure there is sth behind this

Myself2::
Good Question my bros but the writer said the name was deleted, which means right now the name is in the recycle BIN, if by any chance someone empties the recycle BIN, CHEI!!! then Na him be say water don pass GARRI, Nigeria name will be no where to be found, supporting list, harbouring list, patronising list, fighting terrorism list,

Who is US to put us on that rubbish list in the first instance.US and france should be included on that cos of the countribution to the crisis in the arab countries especially Libya.Who is US to put us on that rubbish list in the first instance.US and france should be included on that cos of the countribution to the crisis in the arab countries especially Libya.

Nigeria does not sponsor terrorism, we are beginning to breed terrorists

Muslims of Northern extraction have been used as worthy replacement.

I don't really care about what these countries said about our countries (Africa) they're always giving lessons to the others while everybody knows they're not so perfect.

I think ignoring what they think about us and focus on how we can advance by ourselves could be a a good start for Africans, restablishing our reputation without asking for any westerners approbation, we have our realities and democracy as they want to impose worldwide doesn't match espcially in Africa and it's time to make them get that

Smiles on GEJ's face now. I can bet my bottom dollar GEJ will put it on his facebook page.



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Female Boerboels. 1yr  Adult 400k. semi adult 290k.

Buy your Anti-terrorists dogs now.
Protects against Boko haram.

Jonathan's govt at work, nice one.

They for keep our name there till eternity.  Who wan sabi?  I just hope that when you put a countrys name on that list, you should also avoid stealing their "terroristic oil".  peepo

coded I think it's too early listings Goodluck's achievements let's see

Nice, this will make us visa denied more free to USA

GOODLUCK UR GOOD
I STILL NEED BOKO HARAM OR NORTHERNERS TO BE
EVACUATE FROM THE SURFACE OF THIS COUNTRY
MAKE WE REST JOR

Americans are funny. They are spending heavily on anti-terrorism and the likes. This is not necessary. All what they and their allies need is to do justice because we all know that there can be no PEACE without JUSTICE! I'm sorry to say ooooooooooo. May God teach AMERICANS, FRANCE, GERMANS ETC to be fair and just so as to know peace. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is d rational behind this?At d time it is established that nigeria is a haven for terrorist is when america decided to