Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo, seen here during his time as Kaduna state governor, appears in Katsina, Nigeria, on May 6, 2010. (AP Photo |
Nigerian Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the government “was anxious to put an end to the menace” of a five-year Islamic insurgency led by terror group Boko Haram that has killed more than 1,500 people so far this year alone. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and its leader has threatened to sell the girls into slavery.
According to a Nigerian media report, Sambo said that "'as we approach elections, we should not play politics with serious matters of state such as security,' and pleaded for support and assistance from Canada in areas of surveillance equipment and other vital security hardware" to help Nigeria address the insurgency.
Sambo made his comments when Canadian International Development Minister Christian Paradis was in his office in the capital of Abuja, according to the report.
In addition to issues regarding security, the two discussed maternal and child health, resource development, and the upcoming general election in Nigeria in 2015, the report said.
It did not say whether Paradis responded to the specific request for surveillance equipment and other security assistance.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Development confirmed Sambo’s request. The agency expected to issue a statement sometime Wednesday.
NDP MP Paul Dewar requested an emergency debate on the issue on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Paradis “recently offered Canada’s full assistance to Nigerian authorities as they work to secure the release of these young girls,” but did not offer details during question period in the House of Commons.
“I think I speak for all members of the House that strongly stand up and condemn these actions by Boko Haram,” Baird said. “Quite simply, their actions are repugnant. Our hearts go out to these young girls and to their families.”
On Tuesday, the U.S. government announced that it will send military personnel and law enforcement officials to assist with the investigation into the kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, who have been missing for three weeks.
Mike Baker, a former covert operations officer with the CIA, said the fact that the Nigerian government is finally willing to accept outside help in dealing with the insurgency is a step in the right direction.
But a team of U.S. investigators and hostage negotiators is not going to “solve the problem,” Baker told CTV News Channel on Wednesday.
“There has to be a stepped-up effort to actually resolve this and try to minimize the impact of this organization,” Baker said from Boise, Idaho. “Right now they are just running amok, particularly in the northeast areas.”
Last December, Canada listed Boko Haram as a terrorist organization. Under the Criminal Code, it is illegal to be a member of, or transfer money to, the group.
CTV News
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