UK To Aid Nigeria In Propaganda War

In a multi-million pound deal announced on Thursday, the United Kingdom says it will aid Nigeria in its propaganda war.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari signed the agreement in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Wednesday, during the Prime minister’s visit to the country.

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“We are determined to work side-by-side with Nigeria to help them fight terrorism, reduce conflict, and lay the foundations for the future stability and prosperity that will benefit us all,” May said.

According to the Herald, the deal also includes training to counter improvised explosive devices, £13 million to educate 100,000 children living in areas of conflict and developing the Nigerian government’s procedures to respond to terror attacks.

The deal commits the UK to expanding its training and equipment to the Nigerian military in its fight against terrorist group, Boko Haram, May’s office Downing Street explained.

It added that the assistance will help save the lives of soldiers and civilians living in Nigeria.

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As part of the new agreement, Nigerian army units will also be trained as a whole rather than individually by the UK before their deployment.

It also said the a new “civil asset recovery taskforce”, will be created to help Nigeria recover stolen assets held in the UK and to reduce corruption.

When quizzed on the allegation of human rights abuse against the Nigerian Army by the Amnesty International, the Prime Minister said she had raised the issue with president Buhari, adding that she welcomed his decision to establish an inquiry to examine the allegations.

According to reports, Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

May arrived Nigeria on Wednesday, as part of her three-nation tour of Africa. She held talks and signed agreements with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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The Prime Minister later travelled to Lagos, where she survivors of modern slavery and had business meetings with captains of Nigerian industries.

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