The United Kingdom has approved 40 million pounds (about N14 billion) to assist Nigeria in the fight against insurgency, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, announced on Saturday in Abuja, on arrival for the one-day Regional Security Summit.
The British High Commission in a statement quoted Hammond as reiterating the UK’s continued support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.
“The UK continues to support Nigeria in tackling Boko Haram with nearly £40m of counter-terrorist and counter-extremism support over the next four years. The support includes the training of almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel for deployment to the North East of Nigeria on counter-insurgency operations,” Hammond said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the efforts his administration had made in degrading the Boko Haram insurgency.
“President Buhari has shown strong leadership in the fight against Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has raped, murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians and forced over two million people to flee their homes. Their allegiance to, and potential coordination with Daesh is a reminder of the threat they present to the region and to British interests,” he said.
According to him, Britain and Nigeria, with support from the U.S., France, and its neighbours, are making progress in degrading Boko Haram.
The Second Regional Security Summit brings together leaders from across the world to address the international community’s intent to support Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram.
