[size=13pt]Britain joins fight against Boko Haram[/size]

By EMMA AMAIZE & KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA—Against the backdrop of increased terrorist attacks in the country and fears that the Boko Haram sect may have targeted the bombing of foreign embassies operating in Nigeria, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, yesterday declared that Britain was willing to provide intelligence and technological support in the nation’s fight against terrorism.

Mr Lloyd who disclosed this when he paid a visit to the Minister of Defence, Bello Haliru Mohammed in his office said the very close bilateral relations between Nigeria and Britain had made it imperative that issues of terrorism which are condemnable acts are tackled headlong together in the interest of the people of both nations.

He said that though Britain has always provided support in the areas of training for Nigeria’s military personnel, it has made it imperative for new pages of cooperation to be opened in providing modern technological devices and the advanced intelligence needed to tackle terrorism cankerworm.

The High Commissioner also disclosed that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), which is presently operating below capacity would be given British support and experience through the exchange of expertise and other required support to succeed in its quest to develop, manufacture and assemble arms and ammunition for the nation.

Defence Minister, Dr. Bello Mohammed in his response, requested Britain’s support in Nigeria’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN security council explaining that by virtue of Nigeria’s contribution to peace keeping efforts worldwide, the country deserves to be at the security council.

Commending Britain for its support to the armed forces particularly as it regards training and capacity building of personnel, the minister reminded the High Commissioner that terrorism being a global phenomenon, required all hands to be on deck to fight it hence he called for greater cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

Dr. Bello further requested Britain to improve its trade ties with Nigeria and show example to other countries still dragging their feet toward investing and benefitting from the immense socio-economic and mineral opportunities that abound within the country.

Niger Delta militants volunteer to join forces with army

Meanwhile following uncovered intelligence reports that the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had concluded plans to bomb some states in the Niger-Delta, South-East and South-West geo-political zones, militants in the Niger Delta, have volunteered to team up with the security agencies, especially the armed forces to repel the rebellious group.

Spokesman of the militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, “Captain” Mark Anthony, in an online statement, Tuesday, said the Israeli forces contracted by the government cannot provide adequate security and volunteered special security services for President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his immediate family because of the precarious security situation in the country.

The militant group specifically warned Boko Haram members to steer clear of Niger Delta in their own interest, saying, “If they ignore this warning, the counter reaction will be disastrous”.

Part of the statement reads thus: “We, on behalf of the good people of Niger Delta and Nigerians do hereby offer to partner with the federal security force, especially the army to give voluntary security services to President Goodluck Jonathan and his immediate family over the precarious security situation created by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram with suicide bombing at strategic locations in Abuja and other cities in the nation, thereby creating total insecurity”.

“This call for partnership becomes expedient, especially with the porous security network and backstabbing at high security quarters , which gave the feeling that the life of the President and his immediate family members is at risk.

“We show concern for the fact that the Nigerian security apparatus have been overtly cowed down by the activities of the Boko Haram. For us, President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of our intensified Niger Delta arms struggle and we will not claim not to know that the Boko Harram mission is to destabilize President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration or assassinate him, if they could have their way. God will not allow it to happen as emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan was through divine providence”, he added,

The militant group stated that, “The Boko Haram agitation is not anti-western education, but anti Niger Delta/Christianity and we will not continue to fold our hands and allow these devils in human faces to terrorize and kill innocent citizens at will”.

“We are aware that the government had offered the security of the life of President Goodluck Jonathan to Israeli police, but that is not enough as NDLF tested soldiers are still very visible to give the President the needed support/security as one of our own from any external force, if the enabling environment is given to us.

“We do not want anything to happen to the life of our President. This is because President Goodluck Jonathan is an exchange of lives of countless youths who died during the heat of Niger Delta agitation.

For us, suicide bombing or throwing hand grenade at public places is ‘ woman fight’, that is why while we were in the creek, we always alertëd soldiers of our pre-targets and our locations. And we did not throw any bomb at public places because such operations are devilish and satanic and are not part of Niger Delta struggle.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/britain-joins-fight-against-boko-haram/

This is how it starts, soon we will have drones over Borno state.

British and America should act fast, Drones should start rolling on these Almajiris, I wonder why Northerners exist in the first place,

It's funny how Britain is supposed to be revising their expenditure currently and cutting funds in other areas such as education because they simply haven't got enough capital yet when there is an oil laden country damsel in distress they are ever willing to play knight in shining armour and  offer assistance despite their ailing economy. . .

. . .anyway this boko haram nonsense is getting way too serious, I have to admit I'm not surprised with this recent development I expected it to happen.

Johndoe100:

This is how it starts

. . .yep.

US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, please all of you should come and help Nigeria, we need help in the North. Suicide bombers are attacking us; please help!

Come and set up a many military bases as you need!

Johndoe100:

This is how it starts, soon we will have drones over Borno state.

Every potential suicide bomber killed is a approximately 5 lives or more saved.

It has actually taken Britain long enough to surpport Nigerian government to fight Boko Haram because of their age long pally with the North. Only God knows their intrest in that area and why the hate the south so much,anyway lets see time will definately tell.

Boko Haram is a slap on the faces of western nations who champion western educations in the first place. So, aiding Nigerian government to combat the menace of Boko Haram is not out of place.

This BOKO HARAM[b][/b] nonsence is adversely dastardious, wat should be done is to be done fast.Small time dey will start targeting eastern states,stupid civilians, Pls British co-operations shld make JACK BAUER d team head, , Abeg dis no be laughing matter.

^^^ Agreed. Another Libya in the making

Nigerians, stop being naive! Britains are part of the problem in Nigeria. How can they help? I forsee a civil war under the false pretext of dismantling Boko Haram. Remember no african country in the Guinea Golfe would be spared by their devilish agenda.

HOW I WISH WE (NIGERIANS) CAN STOP THIS ISSUE OF SUICIDE BOMBER WAHALA WITHOUT ASKING "SELF CENTER COUNTRIES TO INTERVENE"

Britain is going to want interests after this (cheap oil).

No ally can fight your war as effectively as it should be. If we can stop this on our own, the better it would be for us and for our children yet unborn.

Our Northern brothers should seriously engage their brothers in dialogue to forestall peace, while our Southern counterparts should do same with their brothers also. It is time to arise in our capacities and say/act/preach NO to terrorism, bloodshed and criminality, else posterity will never forgive us.

As humans and creations of ONE GOD, we need to love and stop destroying the work of GOD (under any guise).

Afro_Blue:

The plan of the UK foreign office is becoming clearer by the day. Get Mend out of the Delta, send them north, create havoc and civil war, weaken the FG, and the British oil companies return to the Delta and pick up where they left off of robbing and polluting 9ja land.


Wake the _____ up people.

The People are wide awake - they just have not gotten up from their beds Let me ask, which would you prefer. instability and economic impoverishment and stagnancy that our leadership has offered the past 52 years since independence - or an opportunity to get rid of our corrupt leadership and perhaps see a future where things work like they as should even if it is under a Western-supported Government like Afghanistan

Why are men un-solicitedly fighting for ALLAH. This is a gross mis-interpretation of belief, GOD is supreme and fights for HIMSELF.

The world is becoming very atheist cos if you beleive GOD as supreme, why fight for him?


If Britain wants to help, then that's a good gesture. BUT on your soil, HOW they help might not be in the best of the Nigerian interest.

i pray that war should not happened in Nigeria at long run, people seems not to understand why britain is joining hummmmmmmm Jesus gbawo , soon it will tur to real WAR not only Britain people watch only God knows their interest

With due respect to all those who are feeding us the "theories of conspiracies",

I will like to pont out that it was not a briton who drove the wired car into the UN building and detonated the bomb.

He who brought in the ant infested firewood has invited lizards to work for him.

Do we say NO to the Western nations?

Ok then, let us say know to maiming and killing especially in the name of the Most Merciful God.

This is totally aberrasive, Whats d need of Nigeria having the (best)or largest armed forces in Africa when they cant even face their challanges.

This BOKO HARAM are no ghosts,they are simply silly group with fish brains.
If they cant be stoped by the country,if we cant fight terrorism.It simply means dat Nigeria is just a token of populousity,noting to show for development,and we r still laging behind,
Isreali armies guiding our president,British forces fighting d terrorist, maybe we should also call Lybian fighters.
it is just hilarious.
This is a national and not multinational issue.

celeboi:

British and America should act fast, Drones should start rolling on these Almajiris, I wonder why Northerners exist in the first place,

Haba now, are all Northerners members of Boko haram? Ignorance is not good oo. "British and America"SMH

ljila:

Haba now, are all Northerners members of Boko haram? Ignorance is not good oo. "British and America"SMH

Not all Muslim Notherners are Boko Haram, but by keeping quiet over the past 20 yrs from Iman to Sultan to Governor to citizens, they are all guilty by non-action. It is your Religion, why let a bunch of Religious Murders defame Allah and the Religion of Islam if you are not in support

Of course Britain would come and help Nigeria. However our leaders are just too thick to realise that such 'assistance' usually comes with a hefty price tag and conditions that lead to limited freedom to act in your best interests. Just ask the Israelis, who have always fought terrorism on their own terms without seeking any outside help.

lagerwhenindoubt:

Not all Muslim Notherners are Boko Haram, but by keeping quiet over the past 20 yrs from Iman to Sultan to Governor to citizens, they are all guilty by non-action. It is your Religion, why let a bunch of Religious Murders defame Allah and the Religion of Islam if you are not in support  

I was responding to the guy who said "I wonder why Northerners exist in the first place". It's no surprise we are backward with this stereotypical mentality. How can you justify the ignorance in his post?
Not everything's the way you see it. Maybe for fear of their lives?  Ive heard of Muslim clerics and traditional rulers in Borno State who've condemned the activities of Boko haram and a few days later, they are history i.e murdered.I can't speak for the Imam, Sultan or Governors but i don't think all the northern Muslims are in support (I'm not a mind reader to be certain anyway). Atiku's condemned their activities but nothing of his was affected in any way, for some reason.
Or maybe they endorse it? Or maybe they can't be bothered because it doesn't 'affect' them directly?
@ bolded - I'm hoping that's question is not directed at me, as it doesn't apply to me!

kulutempa:

Of course Britain would come and help Nigeria.  However our leaders are just too thick to realise that such 'assistance' usually comes with a hefty price tag and conditions that lead to limited freedom to act in your best interests.  Just ask the Israelis, who have always fought terrorism on their own terms without seeking any outside help.

Spot on! After all, who goes to war at his own expense? I wonder what all the Special advisers and the peeps in the cabinet are doing. Is it that they don't do their job or the President doesn't take on board their advice?

People will never learn you dont disciuss issue of security on pages of newspaper or with the press. any asistance you want to render make it confidential.
sponsors of boko-haram are also in government.

"Just ask the Israelis, who have always fought terrorism on their own terms without seeking any outside help" The US has been Israel strongest ally in the fight against terrorism, most of US defense policies in the middle east is pro Israel, to guard Israel safety and peace from its fiercely neighbor- Iran, Syria etc. In today's terrorism attack, calling on UK, US is not out of place since we are not technologically advance in tackling the menace of terrorism.

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