Nigeria must strike at roots of extremism: US' Kerry

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigerian leaders must strike at the roots of violent extremism by respecting human rights as well as avoiding actions that could incite citizens against authorities, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday.

"We have to strike at the root of violent extremism, and nations need to do more than just denounce dead-end ideologies,” Kerry said in an address delivered in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state during his two-day visit to the country.

The speech focused on countering violent extremism, fostering religious tolerance, fighting corruption, and promoting good governance. It was attended by political and religious leaders in Nigeria’s seat of the 19th century Islamic caliphate.

"There are far too many who join the ranks of these organizations [such as Boko Haram] because they have trouble finding meaning in their lives," he added, echoing a 2005 report by an American think-tank predicting the breakout of extremist groups in Nigeria’s poor northern region where millions of children fend for themselves.

Kerry said people join Boko Haram for a "sense of purpose, of power," especially young people with "no hope for the future," and warned that military operations alone will not end the crisis that has festered for about a decade.

While praising Nigeria and its neighbors’ efforts against Boko Haram, he reiterated the need for authorities to foster public confidence in government, warning that perceived corruption comes with grave consequences.

“The fight against corruption must be a global security priority of the first order,” he stated.

Kerry also cautioned against rights abuses by the security agencies fighting insurgents and other crimes, warning: “Repression invites not confidence, it invites contempt, it creates terrorists.”

He called on Nigerian leaders to promote religious tolerance among the populace, just one day after eight people were lynched in northern Nigeria for alleged blasphemy.

"It is by understanding our differences that we can create unity throughout Nigeria, equality and tolerance,” said the top U.S. diplomat.

After his speech, Kerry headed to the capital Abuja for a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and some northern governors.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja said the talks would focus on counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian recession, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues.

“For us in the United States, President Buhari’s handling of Nigeria since 2015 shows that he knows Nigeria’s problem inside out,” Kerry said before the meeting, amid rising frustration over the local economy and crisis in the country's oil-rich delta region.

“President Buhari was elected on the basis of bringing about a clean government. The U.S. is behind President Buhari like never before,” he added.

Kerry did not speak with reporters after the meeting.

In Abuja, Kerry was also set to meet a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue their role in society.

Kerry is due to travel to Jeddah on Wednesday to meet with Saudi leaders.