TheCable

The United States has urged the Nigerian government investigate the alarming increase in suicide bombing and other activities of insurgents in the northeast region of the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the US ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle (pictured) embassy in Abuja, the American government re-emphasised its continuous support for Nigeria in the battle against insurgency.

Expressing its wariness on the uncertainty of the casualty figures, the US condemned the suicide bombings in Gombe, Bauchi, the most recent attack at Government comprehensive science school, Potiskum, Yobe state, and others that have occurred within the last month.

It offered its condolences to the injured and the families of those who lost loved ones to the deadly attacks.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian envoy to the US, Adebowale Adefuye, expressed his displeasure with the US over its refusal to sell weapons to Nigeria to combat insurgents.

“We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the US presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming deadlier,” Adefuye said.

“The US government has, up till today, refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time.”

The US on the other hand, maintains that it remained committed to supporting Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.

“The United States maintains a robust counter-terrorism and dynamic bilateral relationship with the government of Nigeria,” the mission said on Tuesday.

“We remain committed in our support to Nigeria’s efforts to stop the abhorrent actions of Boko Haram and associated terrorist groups.”

President Goodluck Jonathan, while declaring to run for a second term as president, pledged to end the insurgency ravaging the north-eastern part of the nation.