By Prudence Arobani
Nigeria and the United States have deepened security cooperation, prioritising protection of vulnerable communities, counterterrorism prosecutions, and resettlement of internally displaced persons.
The commitments emerged from the second session of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group addressing Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation.
The meeting, which started on Wednesday and continued on Thursday, was hosted in Washington by the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
Nigeria’s delegation was led by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The U.S. Department of State said the engagement built on progress recorded since the inaugural Joint Working Group meeting in Abuja on Jan. 22.
“Discussions centred on three priority areas: protecting Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, holding perpetrators of violence accountable by strengthening judicial and security institutions, and military-to-military cooperation,” it said.
The State Department said both delegations also reviewed concrete measures taken by Nigeria since the first meeting.
“Under Secretary Hooker and the Nigerian delegation reviewed progress on internally displaced persons’ resettlement to their ancestral homes, counterterrorism prosecutions, and combating the financing of terrorism,” it said.
The department, however, said challenges remained despite progress recorded by Nigeria.
“The JWG identified continuing challenges, including reports of civilian fatalities and gaps in humanitarian expenditure transparency,” it said.
The U.S. particularly acknowledged Nigeria’s reported efforts to prosecute terrorists and expand its security and judicial capacity.
“The United States noted Nigeria’s reported efforts to date, including the prosecution of hundreds of Boko Haram and Islamic State-West Africa suspects,” the department said.
It also acknowledged Nigeria’s “expansion of judicial capacity, and recruitment and training of 50,000 additional police officers.”
The State Department said both sides nevertheless, agreed that greater efforts were required, particularly concerning displaced Nigerians.
“Both sides acknowledged that more work lies ahead, particularly with supporting IDPs,” it said.
Resettlement of internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities consequently emerged as a major component of the bilateral engagement.
The two countries also discussed closer cooperation in tracking and disrupting the financial networks sustaining terrorist organisations.
“The two sides also discussed continued cooperation on countering terrorism financing, biometric information sharing to support accountability measures, and law enforcement capacity building,” the State Department said.
It said the law-enforcement cooperation would involve its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and Bureau of Counterterrorism.
Military-to-military cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions, with follow-up engagements taking place at the Pentagon.
“Discussions on military-to-military cooperation continue today (Thursday) at the Pentagon,” the State Department said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, participated in the meeting. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)