The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its partnership with Israel in its war against terrorism saying that Israel has been a strategic and important ally in the fight against murderous Islamist terror group Boko Haram.
Co-ordinator of Nigeria’s National Information Centre Mike Omeri confirmed Israel’s crucial role in the on-going military campaign against Boko Haram during an interview with the Jerusalem Post, on Thursday February 18, 2015 saying that Israel has played a major role in the country’s fight to end terrorism.
“Israel has been a crucial and loyal ally in our fight against Boko Haram. It is a sad reality that Israel has a great deal of experience confronting terrorism,” Omeri said. “Our Israeli partners have used that experience, and the unique expertise gained over years of fighting terror within its own borders, to assist us.”
While emphasising that Israel has “shown their invaluable support with the training and provision of sophisticated weapons required to defeat Boko Haram,” Omeri was asked what role the United State government had played in the fight against the terrorist group. He responded that “the American and Nigerian militaries have a long history of close cooperation, strategic alliance, and shared values.”
The US government, this week, affirmed its commitment to support Nigeria in the war against terror. This affirmation comes after months of news reports which suggest that the US has been blocking attempts by Nigeria to buy arms in wage the war on terrorism.
The Nigerian military forces have in the past week been on a heightened military campaign in an effort to bring the Boko Haram carnage to an end. This week, terrorist camps in the infamous Sambisa Forest and Gwoza were invaded by Nigerian troops and the Defence Headquarters spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed that over 300 terrorists have been killed in an offensive that has reclaimed 11 towns from the terrorist.
Omeri also added that Nigeria is gradually taking back numerous territories, defending against new attacks on key areas, and destroying Boko Haram bases.
Yunana Shibkau, a Christian activist for the Northern Coalition for Democracy and Justice, who is from northern Nigeria, lamented that life is extremely dangerous for Christians in the north due to activities of Boko Haram.
“I am like an Israeli settler in the West Bank in the midst of Palestinians,” he said.
“Some parts of the Muslim community in Nigeria, led by certain members of the political elite in the north and clerics that work to radicalize communities, are not interested in fighting against Boko Haram,” he added.
