Nigerian reluctance to accept foreign help

The fact that Nigeria is not part of France’s pré carré is an advantage in a continent where old colonial sores can be easily worried or reopened.
“France is not a former colonial power in Nigeria and in the past, the French diplomatic engagement with Nigeria was not so strong,” said Paul Melly, a specialist on Franco-African relations at the London-based Chatham House. “But over the past year, there has been a deepening of a political relationship between the two countries.”
Hollande was the only Western head of state to be invited to the launch of Nigeria’s centennial celebrations in February, marking 100 years since the British colonial authorities amalgamated the separate protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a conference on security and development on the sidelines of the centennial celebrations, the French president promised Nigeria support in the battle against Boko Haram. "Your struggle is also our struggle,” said Hollande. "We will always stand ready not only to provide our political support but our help every time you need it, because the struggle against terrorism is also the struggle for democracy."
But Nigerian authorities have been reluctant to accept foreign assistance even as Boko Haram attacks on security forces, churches, markets, schools and mosques in northern Nigeria escalated over the past two years.
More than 3,000 people have been killed since Boko Haram launched its bloody campaign five years ago to establish an Islamic state in mostly Muslim northeast Nigeria. In the first three months of 2014 alone, at least 1,500 people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks, according to Amnesty International.
US assistance offers have also been spurned, according to the Wall Street Journal, since Nigerian authorities believe the use of US drones would “increase America's ability to pry into the country's affairs”.

British-born and Boko Haram member arrested over bomb attack

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche was held in Sudan on an international arrest warrant



A British-born Nigerian army deserter has been arrested on suspicion of helping to mastermind a string of atrocities on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, reportedly born in Britain, was held in Sudan on an international arrest warrant.
He is wanted for questioning in connection with two recent bombings in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, that killed nearly 100 people. One, in the suburb of Nyanya, killed 75 on April 14. A second, planted just yards from the scene of the first bomb, killed 19 people on May 1.


Mr Ogwuche, who is the son of a retired Nigerian colonel, is expected to arrive under police escort by plane in the state capital, Abuja, later on Thursday. State security officers are also expected to quiz him about Boko Haram's abduction of more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok, north-east Nigeria, in mid-April. The group has demanded the release of jailed Boko Haram militants in exchange for the girls' release.

It is understood that Mr Ogwuche originally served in an intelligence unit of the Nigerian army before deserting in 2006. He visited Britain as recently as 2011, and was previously questioned on suspicion of terrorism links upon his return to Abuja in November that year. However, he was then released on bail to his father.
News of his arrest is the first indication of any kind of direct link between Boko Haram and Britain, which has a large Nigerian diaspora community.
In a recent video address, terrorist sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the April bombing, mockingly calling it “a minor incident” and promising more deadly assaults in the future.
Mr Ogwuche was traced to Sudan after a reward of almost £100,000 was put up, according to local media sources.

Nigeria villagers kill Boko Haram Members

 

Villagers kill and detain scores of fighters alleged of setting up a fresh attack in the  north piece of the country.

Villagers in the Northern part of Nigeria where Boko Haram operate have killed and held scores of fighters who were suspected of planning a fresh attack, the residents and a security official said.
Peoples in Nigeria's northern states have been forming vigilante groups in various areas to resist the armed group which has held more than 270 schoolgirls captive since last month.
In Kalabalge, a village about 250km from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri, residents said they were taking matters into their own hands because the Nigerian military was perceived as not doing enough to stalk Boko Haram attacks.
On Tuesday morning, after learning about an impending attack by fighters, locals ambushed two trucks with gunmen, according to local officials.
At least 41 fighters were killed in the attack, officials, who spoke to Al Jazeera on conditions of anonymity, said.



The AP news agency was told that at least 10 armed men were in custody. It was not immediately clear where the detainees were being held.

Kalabalge trader Ajid Musa said that after residents organised the vigilante group, "it is impossible" for fighters to successfully stage attacks there.

"That is why most attacks by the Boko Haram on our village continued [to] fail because they cannot come in here and start shooting and killing people," he said.

US support

Borno is where more than 300 girls were abducted last month and one of three Nigerian states where President Goodluck Jonathan has imposed a state of emergency, giving the military special powers to fight self-declared jihadist groups, whose stronghold is in northeast Nigeria.

Britain and the US are now actively involved in the effort to rescue the missing girls.

US Attorney General Eric Holder said FBI agents and a hostage negotiating team were in Nigeria now, providing technology and other materials. US reconnaissance aircraft were flying over Nigeria in search of the missing girls.

Boko Haram kidnapped the girls on April 15 from a school in Chibok. At least 276 of them are still held captive, with the group's leader threatening to sell them into slavery.

In a video released on Monday, he offered to release the girls in exchange for the freedom of jailed Boko Haram members.

A Nigerian government official has said "all options" are now open - including negotiations or a possible military operation with foreign help.

Boko Haram has killed more than 1,500 people this year.