Making the disclosure on Tuesday was Australian Foreign Minister,
Julie Bishop, adding that the Australian government had made no fewer
than four offers to help Nigeria find the schoolgirls, who were
kidnapped by the radical Islamist group in April last year.
“Nigeria has welcomed our offers but hasn’t made any request for specific assistance,” Ms Bishop said. “The international community stands ready to work with the Nigerian government to assist in its efforts to counter terrorism and implement counter-radicalisation programmes.”
Bishop made the comment while reacting to reports that at least one
girl as young as 10 has been used as a suicide bomber by the Boko Haram
sect in northern Nigeria.
“The government is deeply concerned by the ongoing terrorist attacks and I am appalled by the recent massacre in Baga and the reports of young girls being used as suicide bombers,” she said.
However, the foreign minister said Australia had achieved some broader counter-terrorism cooperation with Nigeria, such as by providing money directly and through global organisations towards education, sports and art, which helped prevent radicalisation.
Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Ayo Olukanmi,
while speaking to Daily Trust reporter on telephone, confirmed that
Australia offered to help Nigeria find the Chibok girls and that
Nigeria, did not reject the offer.
“Nigeria did not reject Australia’s offer as far as the issue is concerned but we agreed to engage them quietly.
Australian parliament also took up the issue after which I held meeting with their minister of foreign affairs and further reiterated out agreement of engaging them quietly which should not be discussed on the pages of the newspapers,” Olukanmi said.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 150 people were reported to have been killed in Baga town in Borno last week by Boko Haram insurgents.
“Nigeria has welcomed our offers but hasn’t made any request for specific assistance,” Ms Bishop said. “The international community stands ready to work with the Nigerian government to assist in its efforts to counter terrorism and implement counter-radicalisation programmes.”
Julie Bishop
“The government is deeply concerned by the ongoing terrorist attacks and I am appalled by the recent massacre in Baga and the reports of young girls being used as suicide bombers,” she said.
However, the foreign minister said Australia had achieved some broader counter-terrorism cooperation with Nigeria, such as by providing money directly and through global organisations towards education, sports and art, which helped prevent radicalisation.
“Nigeria did not reject Australia’s offer as far as the issue is concerned but we agreed to engage them quietly.
Australian parliament also took up the issue after which I held meeting with their minister of foreign affairs and further reiterated out agreement of engaging them quietly which should not be discussed on the pages of the newspapers,” Olukanmi said.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 150 people were reported to have been killed in Baga town in Borno last week by Boko Haram insurgents.
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