Blinken charges Tinubu to protect civilians from terrorists
The United States Secretary of States, Mr Antony Blinken, has tasked the government of President Tunubu to provide a guarantee of safety and security to civilians in the country.
Visiting Blinken assured the Tinubu government that the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria in the war against Islamist insurgents.
“The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria,” Blinken told reporters, adding that it is vitally important (that) there be a focus on humanitarian considerations and ensuring that civilians are protected.
He said the United States is a better security partner for Africa than Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which he accused of exploiting coup-hit and conflict-hit nations in the continent’s Sahel region.
“We hope it can make a difference in restoring the constitutional order and restoring a critical partner in trying to find security in the region,” Blinken told reporters in Abuja.
He pointed out that problem of insecurity was getting manifestly worse and worse in African countries where Wagner currently offer security support.
“It’s important that we’ve been working to support our partners who are trying to find effective ways of fighting insecurity,” Blinked stated, explaining that the US would assist strengthen the capacity of security forces of Nigeria and the rest of the Sahel in terms of equipment and technology, intelligence sharing, and technical support.
