Boko Haram remains a threat to us — USlawmakers

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau
The United States' House of Representatives has said
that Boko Haram is still a threat to the American
country.
At a hearing held on Friday by the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, while passing the amendment to the
National Defence Authorisation Act to combat Boko
Haram, the US' lawmakers stated that the insurgents'
activities could not be ignored despite the heat they
currently are experiencing from the Nigerian troops.
The Chairman of the committee, Ed Royce, said, "Boko
Haram is notorious for their vicious kidnappings,
killings, and pillaging throughout northern Nigeria. But
the story is beginning to change – these terrorists are
starting to feel some heat. The Nigerian military has
higher morale, and the Africa Union task force is cutting
off Boko Haram's supply lines and reclaiming towns.
The pieces are coming into place to destroy this
terrorist group; the forces fighting Boko Haram just
need crucial support to get the job done. Passing this
amendment reaffirms US' support for the forces on the
front lines combating Boko Haram."
Another member of the committee, Carolyn Maloney
noted that the Islamist group needed to be dealt with
completely.
Maloney said, "I am proud to stand with Chairman
Royce in support of his amendment to clearly affirm
that Boko Haram presents a threat not just to one
nation, but to the world. Combatting Boko Haram is
and should remain a national security priority – and we
must remain vigilant in fighting this enemy."
The amended act titled, 'Report on United States efforts
to combat Boko Haram and support regional allies and
other partners', the US' lawmakers noted that since the
terrorist group remains a national security threat to the
country, Washington should continue to work closely
with all its allies in combating the insurgents.
"Combating Boko Haram is in the national security
interest of the United States; the United States should
support regional partners, including the African Union-
authorised Multinational Joint Task Force, through
training and advice and the provision of key enablers
to strengthen operations against Boko Haram.
"Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Defence and the Secretary
of State shall jointly submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on an assessment of
the threat of Boko Haram to United States national
security interests; a description of United States' efforts
to combat Boko Haram, including the authorities to
carry out such efforts and the roles and missions of the
Department of Defence and Department of State; a
description of military equipment, supplies, training,
and other defence articles and services, including by
type, quantity, and prioritisation of such items,
required to combat Boko Haram effectively and the
gaps within regional allies to engage in the mission to
combat Boko Haram," the report said.
The House committee also asked the US government to
provide the list of military equipment, supplies,
training, and other defence articles and services that
the government had provided, "is providing, and plans
to provide to regional allies and other partners to
combat Boko Haram."