The Nigerian government has taken steps to express its displeasure with the kind of co-operation it is getting from the United States in the on-going war against terrorism.
The United States has announced the discontinuation of its training of a Nigerian army battalion.
Although no reason was given for the cancellation, the US said it was at the request of the Nigerian government.
This decision by the Nigerian government could be linked to recent public statements by Nigerian government officials and the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in which it has been alleged that the United States was actively frustrating Nigeria’s ability to arm itself in the fight against Boko Haram.
In a statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, December 1, 2014, the first two phases of the training were conducted between April and August this year.
“Based on mutual assessment of the Nigerian Army and US trainers, a third iteration of training was agreed upon with the intention of developing the battalion into a unit with advanced infantry skills,” it read.
The US expressed regret at what it said was the premature termination of the training, noting that the training was to be the first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units with the goal of helping the Nigerian army build capacity to counter Boko Haram Sect.
“The US government will continue with other aspects of the extensive bilateral security relationship as well as all other assistance programmes,” it added
