By: Danielle L. Cowan (Gwozdz)
Senior Desk Operator, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – The UK will increase its military and educational aid to help Nigeria tackle Boko Haram, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced.

 

He said Nigeria’s army would receive extra training, especially in counter-insurgency, and a million more children would be given schooling.

This is the latest promise of western help since Boko Haram abducted 200 schoolgirls in April.

Since the incident in April with Boko Haram, foreign help has been offered to help end the insurgency.

Correspondents say that attacks have increased since the April kidnappings.

The UK is hosting a meeting about the security situation and how to tackle the Boko Haram insurgents.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Aminu Wali will be attending the high-level gathering organized by his British counterpart Hague.

This meeting follows a summit Hague spoke at last month in London, where regional powers pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group and its five-year insurgency.

Boko Haram has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 in an attempt to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

Thousands of people have died in the attacks done by Boko Haram and the subsequent security crackdown.

Hague has stressed that human rights must be respected in the operation against the militant group.

Human rights groups have accused Nigeria’s army of killing hundreds of civilians in crackdowns following Boko Haram attacks.

Hague also insisted that the extra aid must be spent effectively. There have been reports of corruption in the military.

There will be no immediate effect, however, in the villages of north-east Nigeria where people are being killed every day. There are no quick fixes to this insurgency.

The Nigerian government says the military cannot be everywhere in order to defend people.

Hague has insisted that the extra aid must be spent effectively. There have been reports of corruption in the military.

Hague further stated that the extra assistance would be provided in conjunction with France and the United States.

In a statement made last week, Hague said that “since the appalling abductions of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Haram, the international community has worked together closely to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.”

The UK, US, China, and France are among those countries that have sent teams of experts and equipment to help locate the girls.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Boko Haram crisis: UK boosts Nigeria military aid – 12 June 2014
The Guardian – Boko Haram crisis: UK meets on insecurity – 12 June 2014
News Break Nigeria – Boko Haram crisis: UK boosts Nigeria military aid – BBC News – 12 June 2014
Live 91.9 – Boko Haram crisis: UK boosts Nigeria military aid – 11 June 2014
World News – Boko Haram crisis: UK boosts Nigeria military aid – 12 June 2014