The United States of America has said that the corruption in the Nigerian armed forces is at the same level as it is in other Nigerian institutions.
Senior American military officials including US Air Force Chief of staff, Gen. Mark Welsh III have provided damning testimonies concerning the Nigerian military’s ability to engage the Boko Haram insurgents.
Gen. Mark Welsh III, said, “We’re now looking at a military force that is, quite frankly, becoming afraid to even engage. The United States doesn’t have the capacity, the capability to go rescue every kidnapped person around the world.”
The Pentagon’s Principal Director for African Affairs, Alice Friend, also said, “The Nigerian military has the same challenges with corruption that every other institution in Nigeria does. Much of the funding that goes to the Nigerian military is skimmed off the top, if you will.”
Asked whether Nigerian forces were capable of rescuing the hostages, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told CBS News on Thursday, “That’s an open question.”
“We just don’t know enough yet to be able to assess what we will recommend to the Nigerians, where they need to go, what they need to do, to get those girls back,” Mr. Hagel said.
New York Times reports, at Thursday’s hearing, administration officials condemned the kidnappings and committed American aid to help rescue the girls. But they also voiced frustration at Nigeria’s political and military leaders for failing to heed Washington’s warnings about the extremist group.
“We have been urging Nigeria to reform its approach to Boko Haram,” said Robert P. Jackson, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs. “From our own difficult experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, we know that turning the tide of an insurgency requires more than force. The state must demonstrate to its citizens that it can protect them and offer them opportunity. When soldiers destroy towns, kill civilians and detain innocent people with impunity, mistrust takes root.”