he United States (U.S.) says it is discussing with Nigeria towards in identifying State and non-State actors sponsoring the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorism in the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Leonard spoke of the meetings to this effect on Monday during a media parley during a meeting in Abuja.
Responding to a question, Ms Leonard said of helping Nigeria identify sponsors of terrorism: “That is something we are very eager to partner Nigeria on. I have had at least three conversations in the last two months on this subject. I won’t like to go into details.”
The U.S. Ambassador’s comments came amid revelations by Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (rtd) who said during last week’s appearance on a Channels Television programme that some sponsors of terrorist groups in Nigeria are currently holding positions in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governorship positions and the National Assembly.
According to Commodore Olawunmi, “boys (terrorists) that we arrested mentioned names of people that are in the government now. Some of them are governors, some of them are in the Nigerian Senate…Some of them are ministers. The Department of State Service (DSS) know them.
“I have interrogated a high-ranking member of this government on the issue of Boko Haram in 2007/2008 and he was found culpable.”
Following the revelation, he is expected to honour an invitation by the military’s apex intelligence agency, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) today (Tuesday) to explain further on the issue.