US Diplomat Denies Hidden Pact in Military Ties With NigeriaThe United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Howard Jeter, Thursday reiterated that there is no hidden agenda or ulterior motive behind the two countries' joint military cooperation, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.During his meeting with Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the capital Abuja, Jeter said that the US only wants to assist Nigeria to improve its military capabilities, especially in the areas of training, logistics and equipment. Jeter noted that the essence of the assistance program is to enhance Nigeria's strategic role in the west African sub-region in terms of security promotion and peacekeeping effort. The US envoy made the clarification following reports asserting that Nigerian army would release its contingency plan to the US experts currently involved in a training program for Nigerian army. Local media also alleged that the US and Nigeria had signed secret military pacts aimed at strengthening the US' military existence in the west African sub-region. |
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