US President Barrack Obama on Thursday authorized $45 million in defense aid to five West African countries to support their efforts in battling islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger will receive support in terms of training and military equipment from the United States to help defeat the group that continues to cause a huge threat to security in the region.
The National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said that the authorization will enable Secretary of State John Kerry to provide critical airlift support and other assistance, including helping the Lake Chad Basin countries to move troops and equipment to the border region from which Boko Haram terrorists continue to launch brutal attacks on civilians.
Ned also said the the US will continue to provide advisors and share information to counter Boko Haram’s operations, as well as support victims and to counter extremism programming.
The announcement comes after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Washington and Obama said his administration would again give military aid to Abuja after a dispute with former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.
