Buhari, Kerry in crucial meeting in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in closed door meeting with visiting US Secretary of State, John Kerry, at the Aso Rock villa.

Kerry’s two-day visit comes at a time the two countries are stepping up their cooperation after a period of strained relations. Corruption and security were said to top the agenda of the discussion between two politicians.
Kerry, who has earlier today visited Sokoto state, has noted that the battle against the deadly Boko Haram sect will only succeed if the reasons why people join militant groups to be addresses and if the government and its army gain people’s trust.

Nigeria has been pushing USA to sell it aircraft to take on Boko Haram – a group that emerged in northeast Borno region many years ago. Under Nigeria’s last president, Goodluck Jonathan, the US had blocked arms sales and ended training of Nigerian troops partly over human rights concerns such as treatment of captured insurgents.

Details later…