The United States is set to relax the restrictions on Nigeria in its ability to procure weapons from America and its allies under the country’s Leahy Law, US congressman, Rep Darrel Issah, said monday.
The Leahy Law is a US human rights law that prohibits its Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that allegedly violate human rights.
Issah made the statement while fielding questions from journalists shortly after a closed-door meeting with service chiefs and Ministry of Defence officials at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja monday.
Issah, who led the US delegation, said discussions centred on a wide range of issues, especially the area of technical support in fighting the Boko Haram terror group.
He said the lifting of restrictions was a fallout of the policy of the new military command with regards to the ongoing military operations in the country.
“There were a number of things that were discussed at the meeting but basically the need for additional technical support including overhead surveillance. This was discussed because it is important in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has began the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed.
“Following this development, we have began the process of lifting restriction under the Leahy Law but the vast majority of the support US provides will be given regardless of the restrictions.
“The vast majority of support the US provides will continue regardless of the restrictions. The support will also include training, technical support and equipment supplied will never stop but will continue.
“We are looking to work with the president (Muhammadu Buhari) and new general staff (chief of defence staff and service chiefs) to work to make sure that the people of Nigeria have the confidence in the professionalism of the military, something the people can rely on.
“To make the military something that the people will rely on as the nation tries to clear insurgents and protect the civilians; that is important to the new president of Nigeria, our president (Barack Obama) and it is also important to the congress.
“But we are looking forward to a great difference in the relationship, a proactive relationship and one in which we can provide a greater level of support,” he said.
Issah promised that the US would provide other forms of support that would not only boost the Nigerian military’s capabilities but would also create the environment to rebuild devastated communities.
He said the US through its agencies in Nigeria would help to rebuild and rehabilitate communities and victims of insurgency in the North-east.
The congressman said both countries still remained partners and allies, despite the seemingly lack of support for the preceding administration of President Goodluck Jonathan due to the limitations imposed by the Leahy Law.
He assured that a window of opportunity had been opened with the emergence of the new administration and a process put in place to lift the Leahy Law-induced ban on the sale of weapons to Nigeria.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Ismaila Aliyu, said the visit was a sign of the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s military on the global scene.
He said Nigeria now enjoyed a greater level of confidence and trust in the international community, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation’s efforts in repositioning its economy.
“The US believes in Nigeria, they have trust and confidence in Nigeria, that is why they are here.
On the issue of human rights, the US is pleased with what we have been doing in recent times to address the gaps that may have existed in the past.
“This visit is a follow up to Mr. President’s visit to the US, we have said it and will continue to state that the visit was of great benefit to Nigeria, it has rekindled confidence in the relations between the two countries,” he said.
Issah led a delegation from the US Congress Judicial Committee to the meeting with Nigeria’s top ranking defence officials.
Other issues that dominated discussions between officials of the two countries include justice reforms and support for devastated communities, among others.
In another development, the president divulged monday that the federal government has identified commercial banks, financial institutions and countries where payments from stolen Nigerian crude oil were deposited. He, however, stopped short of disclosing the names of the banks and the countries.
A statement issued in Abuja monday by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said the government has taken efforts to recover stolen loots a step further.
Buhari, according to Adesina, made the disclosure while meeting with the US congressmen.
The president acknowledged the support and cooperation his administration was getting from the international community in gathering the required intelligence for tracing and recovering stolen national resources, the presidential spokesman said in the statement.
“We are getting cooperation from the international community, including information on ships that take crude oil from Nigeria and change direction or offload their content into other ships mid-stream.
“Some monies were paid to individual accounts. We are identifying the financial institutions and countries that are involved.
“I have been assured that when we get all our documents together, the United States and other countries will treat our case with sympathy,” Adesina quoted the president as stating.
Buhari was said to have informed the congressmen that his administration would welcome more regular meetings under the Nigeria-United States Bi-National Commission.
Buhari said the commission could serve as a more useful platform for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations as well as joint cooperation in the war against terrorism.
Issah assured Buhari that the US would support Nigeria against Boko Haram by providing training, intelligence and military platforms.
“We look forward to helping you in many ways to end the Boko Haram insurgency and the theft of crude oil in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
(This Day)
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