Lawmaker appeals for U.S. arms to fight Boko Haram

The U.S. Government has been urged to urgently supply arms to the Nigerian military to effectively fight Boko Haram terrorists.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Prof Ini Udoka, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday.
He spoke during the signing of 9.2 million dollars grant to 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria by the U.S. Government.
His remarks came against the backdrop of Monday’s attack on a school in Potiskum, Yobe by the Boko Haram sect, in which several students were killed.
The legislator said it was worrisome that the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle had been credited as saying that the U.S may not be able to sell arms to Nigeria.
According to Udoka, Entwistle was reported as saying that this was due to alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the government of the United States to reconsider the stance on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
“This morning, we received very sad news that many students of Comprehensive School in Potiskum have been slaughtered by a suicide bomber during the morning devotion.
“We know that the assistance of the U.S. in combating insurgency in Nigeria would help us to a large extent to curb some of these atrocities.’’
The lawmaker thanked the U.S. government for the grant to civil society groups and challenged the grantees to live up to expectations reposed in them.