Following the recent declaration of allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group by Nigerian Islamist sect, Boko Haram, a delegation from United States, led by Stephen Lynch, a member of the American congress have met Nigerian officials to discuss the security of the US embassy in Nigeria.
Speaking after the parley, Lynch said: “This is a critical time for Nigeria and this region.”
“Nigeria’s national elections are scheduled in just over two weeks, while Boko Haram controls an area in the north about the size of New Jersey.
“The bombings and other Boko Haram activities are sure to further destabilise some areas in the run up to the election. It’s a precarious situation.
“The situation can change quickly and we have to continue to find ways to collaborate with our African partners as they battle against regional terrorist organisations.
“Many of our embassies and consulates were established in the 1950s and 1960s, when the security profile was vastly different than it is now.
“Today, these facilities are targets and we need to adjust to the new reality and provide a more secure environment for our State Department employees.”
The American delegation had earlier visited Johannesburg, South Africa; Maputo, Mozambique and Harare, Zimbabwe.
