Boko Haram: Obama Is Ready To Help, Says President Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he had directed the nation’s service chiefs to produce a list of the logistics needed by the military to successfully execute the war against the Boko Haram sect. He said he would forward the list they will prepare to the leaders of the Group of Seven Industrialised Nations (G-7) based on their request.

Buhari disclosed this while speaking  with journalists at the end of the extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He said the leaders of the G-7 requested for the list during his recent meeting with them in Baravia, Germany.

He added that based on the request, he had informed his colleagues in the commission to also prepare their countries’ lists for the same purpose.

He explained that the final list that would be forwarded to the G-7 would be drafted at the end of the African Union summit holding in South Africa.

The President said, “You will recall that I was personally invited to the G-7 meeting.

“I went there and I was asked to brief the G-7 and I was impressed with the tremendous sympathy they have for this sub-region, Lake Chad Basin Commission.

“All of them from President Obama are willing to help us.

“They have actually asked me to discuss with their Chief of Defence Staff or their Ministries of Defence or talk to them directly on what we need.

“So, I brought this case to our meeting here and I told them that Nigeria has gone quite far.

“I had five hours meeting with my service chiefs and I asked them to produce comprehensive logistic requirements.

“I also advised my colleagues to be prepared to produce their logistic requirements so that after the AU meeting, we will agree on what to send to the head of G-7, President of Germany.”

Buhari said members of the G-7 were anxious to render assistance, especially when the Boko Haram sect declared its loyalty to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

He also explained that the rules of engagement among the troops of the member states have been clearly spelt out.

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