Jonathan Cancels U.S Military Training of Nigeria Army Over Poor Support

Unsatisfied with the support rendered by the United States Military in the

fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian Government has

abruptly terminated training of a Nigeria Army Battalion by the American

Security officials. Government officials have roundly criticized the United States of

providing shoddy military support in the wake of the Boko Haram attacks in

three states in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. The Nigerian Government attempts to purchase cobra helicopters were

blocked by the U.S citing inability of the Nigeria Army to use the weapons

and poor human rights record. A statement signed from the U.S embassy announcing the termination of the

training contract said it regrets the termination of the program.

According to the statement, ”At the request of the Nigerian government,

the United States will discontinue its training of a Nigerian Army

battalion,” the US Embassy in Abuja said in a statement.

The first two phases of training were conducted between April and August

2014, and had provided previously untrained civilian personnel with basic

soldiering skills. “Based on mutual assessment of the Nigerian Army and US trainers, a third

iteration of training was agreed upon with the intent of developing the

battalion into a unit with advanced infantry skills.

“We regret premature termination of this training, as it 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,” America said. The US government said it will continue other aspects of the extensive

bilateral security relationship, as well as all other assistance

programmes with Nigeria. The post Jonathan Cancels U.S Military Training of Nigeria Army Over Poor Support appeared first on Pointblank News .