"We are past time for denial and pride!" US calls Nigerian authorities liars for denying that Bama has fallen into Boko Haram's hands

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Assistant Secretary of State: "We are past time for denial and pride!" As US calls Nigerian authorities liars for denying that Bama has fallen into Boko Haram's hands

The United States government has blatantly told the Nigerian authorities to stop lying about Boko Haram's emboldened stance and expansion of the Islamic Caliphate in the country. Speaking through her envoy, the United States stated that based on the situation on ground, the time for empty propaganda, denial and pride has gone. The United States Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, lamented that Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East and had shown that it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere. This is coming on the string of denials that followed the capture of Bama by Boko Haram, evidenced by the fleeing of thousands residents to Maiduguri.

Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with   Federal Government officials on Thursday, added that Washington was   troubled by the “apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram.

She said the US   was preparing to launch a “major” border security programme to help Nigeria and its neighbours combat the increasing number and scope of attacks by the insurgents.

She said, “Since we last met in August 2013, the frequency and scope of Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown more acute and constitute a serious threat to this country’s overall security.

“Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-East, but in Kano, in Abuja, and elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population.

“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.’’

On Monday, the militants launched an attack on Bama, a town 78km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Although the military denied that Bama had been overrun, the Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly, Ahmed Zannah, insisted on Wednesday that the insurgents were in control of the town. Residents of Bama who fled the Boko Haram hordes are currently being housed in a refugee camp in Maiduguri.

Thomas-Greenfield, who leads Washington’s African Affairs team, told the meeting   that the upsurge in violence “constitutes a serious threat” to Nigeria. She said the stakes were high after experts warned that the Federal Government risked losing control of the North-East and the violence could spread across borders.

“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option,” she added.

The diplomat said, “Cameroon’s military is increasingly forced to fight Boko Haram within its borders and they flee back into Nigeria without fear. The Chibok schoolgirls and others remain hostages, enduring horrible and tragic suffering.

“Abubakar Shekau’s bold announcement that Boko Haram is now governing a ‘caliphate’ only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily worsening.’’

There is a clrea indication that Boko will soon attack Maiduguri and Damaturu, the capitals of Bornu and Yobe states, having garrisoned major towns close to the capitals, such as Bama and Buni Yadi.