The United Kingdom said on Saturday that it has approved 40 million pounds (about N14 billion) to assist Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, disclosed this on arrival for the one day Regional Security Summit holding in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A statement issued by the British High Commission, quoted Hammond as reiterating the UK’s continued support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.
“The UK continues to support Nigeria in tackling Boko Haram with nearly £40m of counter-terrorist and counter-extremism support over the next four years.
“The support includes the training of almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel for deployment to the Northeast of Nigeria on counter-insurgency operations,” Hammond said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his administration’s efforts in degrading the Boko Haram insurgency.
“President Buhari has shown strong leadership in the fight against Boko Haram.
“Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has raped, murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians and forced over two million people to flee their homes.
“Their allegiance to, and potential coordination with Daesh is a reminder of the threat they present to the region and to British interests,” the UK foreign secretary said.