Nigeria Takes Steps
Over Inclusion On Terrorists List
A
Nigerian delegation led by Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe has met
United States security officials on the listing of Nigeria as
one of its countries of interest.
The U.S. government had
in response to the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a U.S.
jetliner flying from Amsterdam to Detroit, by Nigerian-born
Farouk Muttalab, listed Nigeria among 14 “countries of
interest” on terror watch list.
Other African countries on the list are Somali, Libya, Algeria
and the Sudan. It also increased security screenings for air
travellers.
The U.S. Envoy in Nigeria, Ambassador Robin Sanders, led the
officials from the U.S. Homeland Security to the meeting in the
minister's office.
Strained relations
Maduekwe had summoned Sanders to his office and expressed
displeasure over the listing of Nigeria by the U.S. government
In his words, ’’The listing Nigeria on the second tier of
countries that are on the radar on security measures to the U.S.
is an unacceptable New Year gift to a friendly country like
Nigeria…We detect some double standard here. What Farouk
attempted to do is not different from what the Shoe Bomber did
in 2001 and yet his country was not put on the security list.’’
Maduekwe further described the inclusion of Nigeria on the list
as counter productive insisting, ’’We want to be off that
list’’.
He noted also that the action had further undermined in serious
terms the rebranding Nigeria challenges.
The minister added that it was in the interest of the two
countries that the cordial relations remained intact.
New security measures
As part of initiatives to demonstrate her resolve to counter
terrorism, the Nigerian government has approved the creation of
a special anti-terrorism squad and the deployment of special air
marshals to secure U.S.-bound flights.
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan announced in Abuja when he
received in audience, the United States Deputy Secretary for
Homeland Security, Ms Jane Lute.
He said government had
also placed order for 10 3-D body scanners for use at the
airports while two of such equipment, earlier purchased by the
CBN had been put at the disposal of the Ministry of Aviation,
for use at the Lagos and Abuja international airports.
The Vice-President expressed sadness over the unfortunate terror
incident of December 25, 2009, urging the U.S. government to
de-list Nigeria from its watch list of terror nations.
He said that even before the incident, Nigeria had proposed an
anti-terrorism bill, which was awaiting the attention of the
National Assembly while it had also ratified nine of the 16
international anti-terrorism legislations.
Outside influence
He said Abdul Muttalab left the country at an early age and
received socialisation and indoctrination far from the shores of
Nigeria.
He noted that the U.S. had a long history of relations with
Nigeria and knew very well that Nigeria was not a nation that
supports terrorism.
Ms Lute who extolled the relations between Nigeria and the U.S
promised to convey the Vice-President’s views to the U.S.
government.
Lute said the purpose of
her visit was to enhance aviation safety, so that travellers
between Nigeria and the U.S. could feel safe in the skies.
Global security measures
Meanwhile, the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) said that it
had begun consultations with stakeholders on additional global
security measures against terrorist attacks.
A spokesman for ICAO, Mr. Denis Chagnon, said in a statement on
Tuesday, that its officials had begun discussions with
member-states on better security measures in the wake of the
December 25 passenger plane bomb attempt by a Nigerian.
’’More meetings have been planned in the next few weeks with
ICAO's 190 member-states, industry representatives and police
authorities,’’ the statement said.
It also said the United Nations and ICAO's senior officials
would meet on January 19th to discuss initiatives relating to
international civil aviation.
The statement said that Canada had also joined other countries
to install body scanners in its airports.
NAN/Yinka
