By Emman Ovuakporie and Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA – THE National Assembly yesterday, appealed to the United States Air War College for more support to the country in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, made the appeal during an interactive session with delegation from US Air War College who visited the National Assembly.

She commended the long bilateral relationship between Nigeria and United States, and emphasised on the need for more military engagement between both countries.

Also speaking, Chairman, Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, Senator Mohammed Lafiagi, stated that Nigeria’s internal security challenge assumed a complex dimension as a result of foreign links to cells of international terrorism groups, over the past ten years.

Senator Lagiagi said, “Nigeria’s efforts at addressing terrorism is facilitated in both the country’s internal and external fronts. In its effort to address terrorism, Nigeria is a signatory to the Rome Statute against torture, International Court of Justice (ICJ), passed the anti-terrorism Act 2015 and anti-money laundering Act 2011.”

Lafiagi who commended the establishment of the multi-national joint task force among Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger and pledged $100,000 in order to contain the scourge of Boko Haram in the region, as well as collaborating with the US military in the area of intelligence sharing against Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria.

He noted that the present security situation in Nigeria and country’s leadership role in Africa had given Nigeria no other choice than to face security and terrorism squarely.

According to him, Nigeria’s internal security challenges have largely been as a result of illiteracy and the ethno-religious diversity of its people.

He said,m”Approximately in the last decade, however the situation has assumed a complex dimension as a result of foreign links to cells of international terrorism groups.”

He maintained that Nigeria’s internal security challenges have largely been as a result of illiteracy and the ethno-religious diversity of its people. Approximately in the last decade, however the situation has assumed a complex dimension as a result of foreign links to cells of international terrorism groups.

Also speaking during the visit, Chairman, Nigeria-USA Friendship Group/Inter-parliamentary Relations, Johnson Agbonayinma, harped on the need for improved bilateral relationship and stronger ties between Nigeria and US.

He said, “Our Legislature though growing is poised towards deepening democratic principles and doctrines. Nigerians are peace loving people determined to conquer all challenges to make Nigeria great among the comity of nations.

“An estimated one million Nigerians and Nigerian Americans, live, study and work in the United States, undoubtedly contributing in building a better America. The National Assembly is committed to good governance, social security, due process and transparency in our dear nation.

“We are strongly in the era of fight against corruption, the need to build institutions to fight the menace is paramount in the minds and act of all lawmakers.

“The need for stronger cooperation between our two nations in areas of security, economic and cultural exchange is of top priority in our bilateral relations.

“Our nation has recently been faced with security challenges on the frontiers of terrorism, kidnappings and upsurge in crime rate.”

He stressed the support of US the government in the areas of health, economic and security, and thanked former US Presidents: President George Bush and Bill Clinton who severally visited Nigeria while in office and after leaving office.

Agbonayinma commended the recent support made by President Donald Trump on the fight against terrorism and corruption, stressing that as the “US plays major role in the world affairs, so does Nigeria play similar roles within the continent, region and the world stage.”