Boko Haram Terrorizes Nigeria, Obama Blocks Israeli Military Aid

What was once a rag tag group of vicious Islamic militants has morphed into a formidable military machine on the brink of unprecedented military success. The US State Department denies military aid to the Nigerian military to protect Christians who are being kidnapped and slaughtered.

Boko Haram gained international notoriety after its militants kidnapped 276 Christian schoolgirls last April. They are alleged to have slaughtered 2,000 others on the same week of the attacks in Paris where 12 civilians were murdered by Islamic terrorists.

In 2002 Boko Haram began in a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, the most populous and important city in northeastern Nigeria. Thirteen years later Boko Haram is on the cusp of capturing this city of two million. 

“Maiduguri is very important, extremely important,” said Martin Ewi, senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. “The strategic importance of Maiduguri cannot be overestimated,” Ewi warns. “If they can take Maiduguri, taking over the whole state will be a matter of time.”

If Boko Haram succeeds it will dramatically change the geo-political realities in the whole region and it will be the Christians who suffer. This will create a safe haven and provide resources for further attacks.

According to the Jerusalem Post the United States suspended the resale of US-made military helicopters by Israel to the Nigerian government for its fight against Boko Haram last summer.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had initially approved the purchase. The Nigerianmilitary is willing to fight Islamic insurgents, but the US is stopping them from acquiring the means to defend themselves.  

TAKE ACTION:  Contact the White House! 

• Call the main switchboard 202-456-1414 or visit whitehouse.gov and submit your comment by clicking on “participate.”
• Urge President Obama to stop impeding the ability of the Nigerian Government to defend its citizens from Boko Haram and allow for the resale of helicopters from Israel.