US Releases Report On Why Boko Haram Has Not Been Defeated

The United States government has said the inability of security agencies in Nigeria to share intelligence report because of animosity is affecting the success in the fight against Boko Haram.

Premium Times reports that this was contained in the Country Report on Terrorism 2016 published by the US Department of State’s Bureau for Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism.

It noted that the State Security Services (SSS) which is responsible for counter terrorism sometimes fail to share intelligence report with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) making it harder to investigate Boko Haram financing.

“While the Nigerian military had primary responsibility for combating terrorism in the northeast, several government agencies performed counterterrorism functions, including the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and the Ministry of Justice.

“Counterterrorism activities of these agencies and ministry were ostensibly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA). The level of interagency cooperation and information sharing was limited and at times hindered overall effectiveness.”

The report blamed the EFCC and the ministry of justice over delay in prosecuting financiers of terrorists although the federal government shares the names of known terrorists and terrorist organisations to banks and other financial institutions.

The report stated: “Despite gains made by the MNJTF, much of its reported progress was merely duplication of failed efforts carried over from the end of the last dry/fighting season. The Nigerian military was unable to hold and re-build civilian structures and institutions in those areas it had cleared.”

It said IDP’s were being returned to their homes without “proper security and appropriate conditions” being put in place for safe and voluntary returns.

“There was no evidence in 2016 of the implementation of a coordinated plan to restore civilian security in recaptured territories.”

“The NPF also stood up the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response, which is a specialized selection and training program for local police dedicated to the security of the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions throughout Abuja.

“The Nigerian government worked with the FBI to investigate specific terrorism matters, predominantly through the DSS, and provided improvised explosive device components to the FBI for analysis at the Terrorist Device Analysis Center. ONSA, DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, and NPF explosive ordnance and post blast personnel worked with FBI special agents and special agent bomb-technicians in-country. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and NPF also received crime scene training relevant to counterterrorism investigations.

“The Nigerian government actively cooperated with the United States and other international partners to prevent further acts of terrorism in Nigeria against U.S. citizens, citizens of third countries, and Nigerian citizens. Nigerian law enforcement agencies cooperated with the U.S. FBI to assist with counterterrorism investigations, including disruptions, information sharing, and interviews.”

in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.

The north-east is primarily the most affected part of Nigeria in terms of insecurity caused by the terrorists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is reporting that the global organsation allocated more than $10.5 million to help women, children and men in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance.