LAGOS
The United States has reiterated support to Nigeria's counter-terrorism campaign, pledging to continue its help for the West African country to tackle the threat of Boko Haram and other militant groups.
"The U.S. government has also restated its commitment to support Nigeria's efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok girls and all others who have been abducted in various communities," the U.S. embassy said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said the U.S. government is disturbed by recent reports about attacks and abductions in some north-eastern villages in Nigeria.
It regretted that several thousands of people have been killed in attacks on places of worship and schools or displaced across the insurgents-wracked region.
"We are aware of reports from persons who fled the scene of the attack that suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped more than 100 women and children and killed 35 people," the statement said.
An emboldened Boko Haram recently stepped up its militant activity, seizing several areas across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe – the three states worst hit by the insurgency – which they declared to be part of a self-styled "Islamic caliphate."
The group has also recently resorted to using suicide bombers and planting explosives.
"We abhor such violence, which continues to take a terrible toll on the people of Nigeria, and we extend our condolences to the victims and their families," the U.S. embassy said.
"Boko Haram has shown no regard for human life," it added.
Nigeria-US relations are in a new low since the end of military rule over a decade ago, following concerns by Abuja that Washington has not been supportive in its counterterrorism campaign.
Top-ranking Nigerian diplomats and politicians have recently criticized Washington for allegedly not selling arms to the country.
Outlawed in Nigeria, Turkey and the United States, Boko Haram first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption.
It became violent after the death of its leader in 2009 while in police custody.
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