US Will Not Investigate Claims Of Shekau’s Death, Envoy Says

Boko Haram emir Abubakar Shekau makes his first major video appearance

Following claims by the Joint Task Force, JTF, that the leader of outlawed Islamist sect Boko Haram, Abu Shekau has been killed, without giving any proof, the outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley, has disclosed that his country has no plans to investigate the claims, though the US recently placed a $7 million bounty on his head.

The US envoy said this yesterday when he paid a farewell visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, assuring Nigeria that the US’ partnership on the war against terrorism in the country and the sub-region would continue.

“We have strongly criticised the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, we have called for measures targeted at this threat and express our hope that the government of Nigeria will be able to curtail the threat presented by Boko Haram,” he said.

Terrence McCulley
Terrence McCulley

“The US reward for justice programme offers rewards for apprehending terrorism leaders. The United States has been working in helping to counter the violence of extremism in the region and we recognise what Nigeria has done as a regional leader to contain the spread of violence,” McCulley added.

The ambassador noted that the relations between Nigeria and the US have been fruitful and rewarding for both countries, even as he lauded Nigeria for still being able to record development in spite of its challenges ranging from insecurity to oil theft and corruption.

Ashiru, in his response said, McCulley’s tenure recorded growth in US-Nigeria bilateral relations.

“For the period you stayed here, the relationship between Nigeria and US has been quite robust and full of activities especially working under the framework of the Bi-national Commission (BNC).

“We are very satisfied with what we achieved under the various segments of the BNC from security, education, investment in power sector, aviation, agriculture, etc.,” he said.