Buhari to gain US support against Boko Haram

LAGOS. — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari visited the United States yesterday to garner support from the US in a move to combat the Boko Haram militant group now rampaging in the northern part of the country.

A statement from the Presidency said the economy and security would top the agenda of Buhari’s visit and his talks with US president Barack Obama.

Buhari is also expected to discuss measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West-Africa.

The meeting was also aimed at mobilising support for Nigeria-US operations against the Boko Haram terrorists.

Local observers said the visit was expected to mend the “dipped” relations between the US and Nigeria under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Officials from the former administration were openly critical of American policy toward Nigeria.

The country’s ambassador to Washington complained the United States was not doing enough to help Abuja fight the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged the country’s northeast. — Xinhua.